Willow Glen Resident
News
City council approves new Habitat home to be built on Delmas Avenue
By Mayra Flores De Marcotte
San Jose City Council approved an agreement on Feb. 6 or a joint effort with Silicon Valley Habitat for Humanity to develop a single-family home on a vacant lot between North Willow Glen and the Gardner District.
The .13-acre parcel on Delmas Avenue between Fuller Avenue and Jerome Street will be developed into a 1,200-square-foot single-story, three-bedroom ranch-style home for a low-income family.
The donation of the city-owned land to the nonprofit group serves two purposes, said San Jose Department of Housing director Leslye Krutko.
"We are disposing of land no longer needed," Krutko said, "and it will be used for a positive purpose and to beautify a neighborhood."
The city has partnered with both Habitat for Humanity as well as Youth Build in order to provide more low-income housing opportunities for residents who would otherwise not be able to afford a home in San Jose, Krutko said.
The families that are selected for a Habitat for Humanity project are also involved in the construction of the home. They put in "sweat equity" as part of the process.
The department of housing will serve as a lender and as such will ensure that the construction is on schedule, Krutko said.
There is also a 45-year restriction on the parcel to ensure the home will stay with the low-income family and not be sold for profit. If the family moves, the home would go to another eligible family or goes back to Habitat as a low-income home again, Krutko said.
Habitat for Humanity officials have been working with the city of San Jose on similar projects, including another single-family home on Willow Street in the Washington District. This home will be the nonprofit agency's 13th in partnership with the city, says Habitat for Humanity executive director Robert Freiri.
"Home ownership provides stability and allows children to stay in the same school and focus on education," Freiri said. "It's one of the reasons why we want to do more."
The group has tentatively set construction to begin on the Delmas home by October, with a completion goal of August 2008.
For more information or to find out how to volunteer, call Silicon Valley Habitat for Humanity at 408.942.6444 or visit www.habitatsanjose.org.
