Habitat for Humanity is key
New Kent's first Habitat homes are dedicated
By AMY JO MARTIN
Tidewater Review Staff Writer

Generous donations by community residents, members and local businesses has led New Kent Habitat for Humanity to dedicate its first two houses.

The earth-friendly homes for the Elbourn and Webb families will become part of a future Habitat subdivision, located at 6301 Hopewell Road, near the former KOA campground.

Kayleigh Elbourn, her husband Bruce, and their three children, Kaydence (five months), Loghan (25 months), and Zachary (three years old), will be moving into the newly completed three-bedroom, two-bath 1,280-square-foot home, closest to the subdivision entrance in approximately a month.

The Elbourns were the first family accepted by New Kent Habitat. When they applied, they were living in Kayleigh’s mother’s garage.

They had relocated to Williamsburg because the winter had grown harsh and their temporary home had inadequate heating, and because Loghan’s breathing was becoming troublesome.

Bruce Elbourn works as a laborer at David Nice Construction and volunteers with the New Kent Fire and Rescue Department, while Kayleigh volunteers at New Kent Elementary School during the school year. She is currently doing coursework online at Anthem College to become a medical biller and coder.

Bruce and Kayleigh’s time with the school and fire department count towards their “equity sweat hours” required of all Habitat families.

The Elbourns enjoy spending time together, watching TV, going to the park, and visiting with extended family.

“New Kent’s Habitat home will be a blessing and a relief for the Elbourns. The family…appreciates all of the hard work that the New Kent Committee has done to make the dream of homeownership a reality,” said Richmond Habitat.

The Webbs, the second Habitat family, are just as anxious to move into their new 1,392-square foot home in approximately a month.

Single mother Christina Webb and her two sons, Daniel (five) and Charles (11) will move into the three-bedroom, two-bath home in the subdivision, alongside the Elbourns.

Before Habitat, the Webbs were living in a rental home with structural problems and overcrowding.
Webb, a server and bartender at Chili’s restaurant, is completing her “sweat equity hours” by volunteering at Heritage Public Library.

“Christina heard about the Habitat program from the New Kent Department of Social Services,” said Richmond Habitat. “Christina [has said] that this is a truly life changing experience for her and her family.”

Both the Webb boys, as well as Zachary Elbourn, attend New Kent Elementary School together, and have become fast friends through the school and Habitat.

Now that the boys have room to play, they can partake in their favorite hobbies: being outside, riding dirt bikes and racing go-karts.

Both the Elbourns and Webbs have attended the required Habitat classes on landscaping, money management, homeowner’s insurance, city codes and home maintenance.

“It’s not a give-out,” said Gerry Campbell, head of New Kent Habitat Construction and Land Acquisition.

“It is the dedication, determination and [love] of so many who made the this day possible,” said Frank Punch, RMHFH Board of Directors Chairman at the dedication.

Those who helped include local businesses, residents, members and volunteers who worked on the house and in the funds.

The plans for the two homes, as well as the other four, and a street, were approved last September by the New Kent Department of Community Development, shortly after Richmond Habitat received the land.

Bert and Elsie McLaughlin announced on July 25 that after four years of searching for land, the couple would donate their own 10.66-acre property.

Burt McLaughlin told Habitat members at the July 2008 meeting that he chose to go through with the donation the moment he received drawings from Zackary and Loghan.

“I went and visited Mr. McLaughlin after his surgery and brought him a get-well card. I thought it’d be nice to put the kids’ drawings inside. And I’m glad I did,” said Kayleigh Elbourn.

“We didn’t think we were going to have a house.”

The McLaughlins sold the property to Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity (RMHFH) for $79,000 less than its appraised value.

To date, the McLaughlin’s discounted donation is the largest in Richmond Habitat’s 23-year history.

The McLaughlins also donated an additional 16 acres adjoining the site for land conservancy and buffers (for a total property value of $170,000).

With the additional land allowance, Habitat was able to plan for six homes, rather than four, and create an “open space,” or park where the children and families can play and relax.

In a quiet proceeding, New Kent County also waived fees for the Habitat homes, giving the homeowners lower mortgage payments.

“I don’t think anyone realizes how huge that is,” said Leisha LaRiviere, Executive Director of RMHFH. “New Kent County believes in affordable housing.”

It’s estimated that the six-home subdivision, when completed will add an additional $1 million in tax-based revenue.

Local land developers Jamie Davis and Mike Kelly, of Kelly-Davis, Inc. also contributed $60,000 to help finance the construction on the two homes.

Chesapeake Structural Systems, Inc. and Creative Wood Products, donated the floors, roof trusses, windows and doors for one of the homes, and made the donation in honor of New Kent Habitat president and Chesapeake Sales Manager Alan Files.

The gift was made “for his leadership on the project and his commitment to affordable housing in New Kent County,” said RMHFH media contact Lisa Bedell.

SUPERVALU Community First Foundation also provided a $25,000 grant for the installation of wells and septic systems for the entire subdivision.

Lanexa resident and eight year-old Catherine Peterson donated the proceeds from sales of her chicken eggs. For the dedication, she also stocked the families’ refrigerators with eggs.

According to New Kent Habitat Volunteer Committee Chairman Donna Friend, 500 different Habitat volunteers worked over 2,500 hours, or 350 calendar days (three months), from 7:30 am until 3:30 p.m. or later.

Friend, LaRiviere, former New Kent Habitat Chairman Mark Hill, Richmond Habitat Director of Family Services Anna Karnas, and New Kent Habitat member Linda Callahan were also recognized for their work on the project.

“The most important gift you can give is your time,” said Friend.

The families were each given presents from different Richmond and New Kent Habitat representatives.

The Elbourns and Webbs were handed Bibles, a painting of their homes, groceries, garden tools, handmade Santas, and symbolic keys to their home.

“I’d like to set the record straight. You all need to know of the wonderful work of your county staff,” said LaRiviere.

“Completing the homes in 10 months is unheard of! It just doesn’t happen.”

Alongside being completed in an astonishingly quick time, the homes also used earth-friendly construction.

Eighty-eight percent (2.3 tons) of the building materials were taken directly from the landfill.

During the dedication, RMHFH announced that it will not only build new homes, but will now also “rehabitat” existing homes.

“We hope to be doing that in [New Kent] County,” said LaRiviere.

Also, RMHFH is looking for four more families to fill the upcoming homes in the New Kent Habitat subdivision.

For more information on pre-qualification and homeownership, please visit www.richmondhabitat.org or contact (804) 232-7001.

Friend recognized the volunteers, as well as the following contributors: New Kent County Board of Supervisors, Planning and Economic Development Departments, and New Kent County Administrator, John Budesky, Delegate Chris Peace, Kelly-Davis, Inc., SUPERVALU Community First Foundation, St. Peter’s Parish Episcopal Church, Emmaus Baptist Church, Providence United Methodist Church, Chesapeake Structural Systems, Inc., Creative Wood Products, Whirlpool Appliances, Square D, Hunter Douglas Window Furnishings, Valspar Paint, The Golf Club at Brickshire, Bert and Elsie McLaughlin (and family), and RMHFH Superintendents, Jerry Mialaret, Maria Tisdale, Jr., and Paigh Bumgarner, Jr.