Habitat for Humanity finishes accessible, affordable home for family in Hurricane

Habitat for Humanity and dozens of volunteers finished a single-level, accessible home in Hurricane this week, giving the Angebretsen family a space the homeowners said will meet current and future mobility needs.

Melissa Anderson of Community Education News reported the house — described in the segment as roughly 1,900 square feet and sited on a hillside above the Virgin River — was constructed over nine months with significant volunteer “sweat equity.” A homeowner who took part in the build said, “It was a lot of sweat equity.”

Homeowners credited the nonprofit and its volunteers with including them in the process while handling major work. One homeowner said the home’s single-level design is the “biggest” benefit because of a family member’s disability and noted the interior and outdoor features were installed with future mobility in mind. “The whole home is handicap accessible, which is phenomenal for Sam,” one homeowner said.

On cost, a homeowner estimated, “I think initially when we ballpark to the estimate, our mortgage should be right around $900 a month,” and said that payment level would free up income for food and car maintenance. The family also described yard work accommodations: AstroTurf was installed in the backyard so they would not need to mow, and concrete curbing was added to extend usable outdoor space beyond the sidewalk.

The reporter said the nonprofit characterized the project as the organization’s 26th home built for families like the Angebretsens (the audio was transcribed as “20 sixth home”). The family told the reporter their official move-in date is on the 10th, about two weeks after the segment.

The homeowners and reporter closed by thanking the volunteers and sponsors whose labor and donations made the project possible. Melissa Anderson signed off the segment for Community Education News in Hurricane.