The waiting is over for Habitat for Humanity's San Benito County branch.
In the next few weeks, the nonprofit organization hopes to begin its first restoration, and it's to the home of Tom and Patty Padgett. The house, at 478 Sixth St., was built in the 1800s and has several areas needing repair.
Most notably, the home needs a new roof, along with some minor electrical repair to complement new windows and some fresh paint. The estimated remodeling cost is about $40,000, but that number could rise with unforeseen defects.
Padgett, a contractor by trade, had his career cut short by an injury in June 2005 and has been on Social Security disability since then.
"I am no longer capable of doing work I could do," said Padgett, who pointed to his torn tendon, a bulge in his bicep area that's supposed to be in near his shoulder blade. "And now it's in my elbow."
The focus of the San Benito County branch - first organized as an official chapter in September 2005 - is on such restoration projects as opposed to building new homes. Jennifer Galindo, vice president of Habitat for Humanity San Benito County, estimates the cost of constructing a new house from scratch would be $220 per square foot, not including the cost of land on which to build.
So by sticking to restoration projects, the organization expects to make the process simple and keep costs down, while also adhering to Habitat for Humanity standards. Restoration also requires less manpower and significantly less time to accomplish - volunteers hope to have the Padgetts' house done in three months - than building new homes.
The Padgetts noted how the work will be done by volunteers on weekends, while a licensed contractor will fix the roof. The Padgetts also must put in at least 80 hours of "sweat equity" on the project.
"We're willing to do more than our fair share," Patty Padgett said.
Hours can be accumulated through work at other Habitat sites, but also through other methods. Even if someone can't serve on a work site, they could volunteer, for instance, at a library or a homeless shelter, said Niessa Bauder-Guaracha, president of the local chapter.
Through their process of "sweat equity," Habitat for Humanity San Benito County is "looking at it as a hand up, rather than a hand me out," Bauder-Guaracha said. And Patty Padgett said she appreciates that sentiment.
Editor Kollin Kosmicki contributed to this report.
Colin McConville Got a question or a comment? Send us an email.
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