October 24, 2013 [WEWS]
CLEVELAND – Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity launched its Slavic Village neighborhood revitalization initiative Thursday on Clement Avenue where two homes will now be renovated for first-time homeowners.
The program is part Habitat’s 25th anniversary celebration.
The Church of the Holy Angels in Chagrin Falls is sponsoring the total rehab of one of the homes, a 109-year-old house. Parishioners will work two days a week on the house until it is completed.
“Our parishioners are eager to volunteer their time and financial support to restore this Cleveland neighborhood,” said Father Dan Schlegel in a press release.
“The church has to go out into neighborhoods, the church has to go out into the streets. We need to be where the greatest need is. So we’re very very happy to be a part of this, and I would like to issue a challenge to all churches in greater Cleveland to adopt a house.”
A second house on the street, which is also 109 years old, is being fully sponsored by Medical Mutual of Ohio. Employees will work on the home two days a week.
Cleveland Habitat got the two houses from the Cuyahoga County Land Bank at no cost. The Slavic Village Development Corporation assisted with the site selection and acquisition. Other organizations will contribute as well, including Greater Cleveland Neighborhood Housing Services, which will provide financial counseling and training to families preparing for home ownership.
“This project will demonstrate how viable and economical it can be to give another life to old houses with strong bones and solid foundations,” said Ward 12 Councilman Tony Brancatelli in a press release. “I am very pleased that Cleveland Habitat is investing in our community for the next generation of families and new homeowners.”
Habitat already has families who have chosen to make these houses on Clement Avenue their homes. They should be ready by early spring. Habitat also expects to acquire several other houses from the Land Bank before the end of the year.
Clement Avenue is the second street Habitat adopted. Seven houses on the first street it adopted, Colfax Road in Cleveland’s Lower Kinsman Neighborhood, are near completion and all will be occupied by new first-time homeowners in time for Christmas.
Those interested in volunteering in their neighborhoods can find all the information they need on the NewsChannel5 Building Better Neighborhoods web page.