Mayor breaks ground for houses

Owning a house is just one facet of the American Dream. Now, a community-wide program will make that step easier for four needy families in Bloomington.\nThe city of Bloomington's Housing and Neighborhood Development purchased land on Ninth Street and Fairview Avenue with the intent to build housing for low to moderately-low income families. One house has already been moved there, and the rest of the land has been divided into four lots. HAND then requested proposals from various builders, both for-profit and not-for-profit. \nBloomington Mayor Mark Kruzan was present at the groundbreaking, and has expressed his commitment to the project.\n"Mayor Mark Kruzan has made it a mission to build affordable neighborhoods," said HAND director Susie Johnson. "This is the first step in that endeavor."\nAfter obtaining the contract for one of the lots, Habitat for Humanity is planning to build a three-bedroom home for a family in need. \n"Habitat is a hands-up program, not a hand-out program," said Lori Denker of Monroe County Habitat for Humanity. "The family buys the home from Habitat at zero percent interest. They pay us back somewhere between 15 and 30 years, depending. And Habitat doesn't get any profit from it."\nIn addition, every member of the family who is 18 and over must pay a "sweat equity" by assisting in the building of other homes and of their own home.\nThe South Central Community Action Program obtained the other three building contracts. According to www.sccap.monroe.in.us, "The South Central Community Action Program, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit corporation which provides services to the low-income residents living in Monroe, Morgan, Owen and Brown Counties. It serves as an advocate, guide and leader in providing opportunities for the low-income population to obtain services that will help them in becoming self-sufficient."\nThe groundbreaking ceremony took place Tuesday.\n"We're very excited about receiving this award because it's the first of it's kind for us," Denker said. "It's a great honor."\nHabitat for Humanity was also excited to obtain land on which to build.\n"Taking into consideration that land is a priority, being able to receive a grant like this helps us and families in need," Denker said. There are currently 14 families on the Habitat for Humanity waiting list, with an average of a two-year wait for housing. "The timing was perfect."\n-- Contact staff writer Jenny Kobiela at jkobiela@indiana.edu.