Houston County Habitat for Humanity celebrates home dedication for the Roberson family

PERRY — The Houston County Habitat for Humanity hosted a home dedication for the Roberson family with a ribbon-cutting for their most recent community build at 1336 Pierce St. Sponsored by Parrish Construction, the house will be occupied by Megan Roberson and her three children.

Executive Director Bill Goggin said they received these lots from the land bank in Perry a few years ago. The timing was perfect, since the house was completed at the same time as their partnership with Parrish Construction began 30 years ago.

“[Parrish Construction] usually makes a gift every five years for probably 20 years now,” he said. “They were really excited about the project, had a local family right here in beautiful Perry where they’re headquartered and they offered to pay for the whole house.”

The house is a three-bedroom, two-bath home worth $190,000. Habitat for Humanity is currently awaiting the certificate of occupancy and hopes to close on this property by next Wednesday, with the Roberson family moving in soon after.

Goggin said owning a home is a lot more difficult these days. These issues are where Habitat for Humanity and Parrish Construction come into play.

“The problem is really large, but that does not deter us and does not stop us from continuing our mission to provide affordable homeownership,” he said.

Goggin reminded that the program is not a handout. Roberson participated in a 20-hour educational program, made a down payment on the home, contributed 400 hours of physical labor, and will also pay the mortgage; however, that mortgage will have 0% interest.

“That first mortgage payment you make, is 99.99% going to the bank, so we’re able to offer her a no-interest mortgage,” he said. “That’s just the Habitat way, and we’re going to continue to do that as long as we’re able and funded to do so.”

President of Parrish Construction, Charlie Griffis, said they are very thankful to have played their part and offered remarks to Roberson.

“It obviously takes way more than us as so many people have come together to love you through this and support the community, and that’s just an important thing about what we all do,” he said.

Roberson said she feels very excited to have this house and has quickly fallen in love with the finished product.

“I appreciate everything [Houston County Habitat for Humanity] has done. Anything I have needed, they have come to my rescue and have been great,” she said, “I couldn’t ask for a better house that I could afford.”

Roberson is looking forward to becoming a homeowner and having something she can pass down to her kids when the time comes.

“I think Habitat for Humanity is an amazing [organization]. They brought the whole community together to do this, and I couldn’t be more grateful,” she said.