Habitat for Humanity's 19th home project in Sheboygan is dream come true

Yolanda Gilbert's dream of owning a house is rising from the ground on a small lot on North 19th Street in Sheboygan. And like most first-time homeowners, she'll be watching the construction of the Cape Cod-style house every step of the way."I wanted to have the experience from start to finish," said Gilbert, 48, who will be able to move into the house, being built by volunteers from Habitat for Humanity-Lakeside and Thrivent Builds, a part of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.Construction began in late May, and by early June, the basement for the 1,100-square-foot, three-bedroom, 1½-story house had been poured. The framework for the home is now under way.
Gilbert, who has lived in Sheboygan for eight years and operates her own child day care service, was selected from a large group of applicants for the house, the 19th to be built in Sheboygan County by Habitat for Humanity-Lakeside. She will be living there with her 12-year-old son, Keynonn.
"It will be my first house, it will be interesting," Gilbert said. "Everything is on me. I don't call anybody when something needs to be repaired. It's my responsibility, it's a big responsibility, but it's a good one … to show my son."
The aim of the organization is to "work in partnership with God and people everywhere" to build or renovate homes for people in need, utilizing volunteer help as well as the help of the person who will be taking ownership of the house.
Gilbert, who volunteers at Habitat for Humanity's ReStore building materials store in the Town of Sheboygan, also will provide 250 hours of volunteer work as part of the agreement.
Habitat for Humanity, which relies heavily on grants, donations and volunteers for its work, provides the home at cost to the new owner, who makes interest-free payments on a 30-year mortgage, which is held by Habitat. The owner assumes all responsibility for property taxes and upkeep. Money from the payments for the house goes back into the pool of funds available to build other houses. The Gilbert house will cost about $100,000.
Source http://www.sheboyganpress.com/