The homes new resident will move in Aug. 17.
By CHRISTINE LEE
For The Express-Times
For Natasha Velez, having a home away from drugs and crime gives her a genuine feeling of peace.
“It’s a peace of mind; a place for me and my daughter to start over and a place where I can actually let her play outside for once,” said Velez, who had lived in Bethlehem's Marvine-Pembroke and Parkridge public housing complex areas.
Habit for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley today dedicated a new home in the 1400 block of James Street for Velez and her 6-year-old daughter, Anaya. When they move into their new home Aug. 17, Velez and her daughter will leave a Bethlehem Housing Authority apartment that police had previously used for a three-year drug investigation.
Accepted into the program in December, Velez volunteered with Habitat and worked on her own future home and those of other Habitat families as she worked toward her 250 hours of sweat equity. Homeowners must volunteer the time to qualify for the program’s no-interest mortgage.
“She just cranked her hours,” Habitat Lehigh Valley Executive Director Debrah Cummins said of Velez. “She’s a superstar.”
Velez's house marks the 98th home Habitat for Humanity Lehigh Valley has dedicated since its inception in 1989, and Velez and Anaya are the 101st family to receive a home through the organization.
Work on the home began a year ago for a different family that later backed out of the program. Joe Polizzotto, Habitat’s assistant construction manager, said home dedications are the best part of the building process for him.
“Nothing’s sweeter than when you work hard for something and you get a result,” Polizzotto said. “This girl Natasha really did a terrific job and to see her little daughter being so happy, I mean that’s really what it’s all about, is putting kids in good places.”
Velez calls the home’s completion “a big accomplishment” for her, and she looks forward to allowing Anaya to run around the yard and painting the home the colors she wants.
“I started the process about three years ago and decided that I wanted to go along with this and I’m already here, so it’s been great,” Velez said.
She thanked the organization for helping her realize her dream of home ownership.
“I’m just really grateful for the whole experience, for everybody I’ve met through this journey and for being introduced to Habit for Humanity,” Velez said.