A dedication ceremony was held Thursday for 28-year-old Hannah Crite’s new home on West 5th Street. It’s the 150th home completed by Habitat for Humanity of Owensboro-Daviess County, and it’s their first ever solar-powered home.
Crite will live in the four-bedroom, two-bathroom home with her three children as well as one young man who she has guardianship over.
“My feelings are all over the place,” Crite said. “There’s a lot of excitement, and I’m just proud of myself because I’ve made it this far in the program.
To be eligible for a Habitat home, applicants must meet certain criteria. Once it’s determined they qualify, the applicant then has to earn 350 “sweat equity” hours.
“That’s everything from being on the jobsite swinging a hammer up against the nail, to helping us out in the office, helping us fold marketing materials — it can be anything,” said Habitat Executive Director Jeremy Stephens. “Balancing a job, family, and your life along with having to put in that amount of hours, that can take anywhere from a year to two or sometimes more depending on your availability. Hannah was a rock star. It really does involve people into investing in the organization, which is why it works.”
Crite started the program in June 2019, but the pandemic made the process take longer than usual.
“My friend who’s also in the program motivated me and helped me stay on track. It’s been a long haul for sure,” she said. “It feels good to know that so many people have supported me through the program and are very excited to see what it’s come to. I’m very excited and blessed for that.”
Stephens said they goal with the solar-powered home was to pass not just a monthly savings but an annual savings on to the family. He said during sunny months they will have little to no electric bill, and may even be able to build credit to use on bills during other months.
The Home Builders Association of Owensboro (HBAO) partnered with Habitat for Humanity to
complete this home. HBAO includes over 200 home building organizations located in the Owensboro-Daviess County area.
“It has been inspiring to watch the members of the Home Builders Association come together every few years and build a new home for a Habitat Family,” said Richard Stallings, HBAO Executive Officer.
Stephens said Crite is expected to sign the closing paperwork next week, then she’ll officially own the home.
