Habitat for Humanity gets family into new house before Christmas

A local woman who put in a lot of work and preparation got the keys to her brand new home from Habitat for Humanity Tuscaloosa last week.

Habitat Tuscaloosa Executive Director Ellen Potts said handing over the keys never gets old.

“It’s such a joy to dedicate a home for a family, but especially right here at Christmas we’re celebrating the gift of all gifts, and then to be able to give this kind of gift to a homeowner, it absolutely never gets old,” Potts said.

Like all Habitat homes, the new owner puts in hundreds of hours of sweat equity on their home and many others.

For this house, Cassandra Jones and her family worked more than 200 hours. Much of the home’s cost was provided by the Alabama Power Foundation and the Holle Family Foundation.

Alabama Power Foundation Board Member Mark Crews said the consistent work that Habitat does makes supporting them an easy choice.

“The things we look for are quality of life issues and sustainability, and Habitat is one of those groups that does both,” Crews said. “It’s a wonderful group to invest in.”

Jones said she’s elated she and her family have a brand new home for Christmas.

“God gave us the greatest gift of all, which is his son, and to be able to get a house for Christmas and the wisdom and the knowledge it takes to build a home and then to have your precious things in the home,” Jones said.

In total, Habitat for Humanity Tuscaloosa has built 94 homes since the April 27, 2011, tornado.