Hope and Community Building is published quarterly by Hope Community Builders.Designed and edited by Ken and Deb Layman.

Bethany Court Rises with Paired Homes

Completed Phase II paired homes on Bethany Court

The view on Bethany Court

Bethany Court is taking shape in Covenant Heights.  According to Senior Building Supervisor, Duane Bontrager, 10 homes are finished with 14 under construction.  Four more building permits are in the application process.  Both paired homes and town homes are under construction.  If you are a first time home buyer, looking for a 3 bedroom, 1-1/2 bath home priced at $163,000, come talk to us.  Take a drive through Covenant Heights Phase II and see for yourself the attractive homes and view the building sites available.  Visit our website at www.hopecommunitybuilders.org.

Covenant Heights is located on Rt. 11 S., behind the DMV.  All homes carry the Earthcraft and Energy Star certfication meaning energy and cost savings for the home owner with benefits to the environment.

In November, 2007 five HCB board members and three staff attended the Governor’s Housing Conference in Roanoke, VA.  The conference brings together persons who work with affordable housing and improving neighborhoods throughout Virginia.  Keynote speaker was Barbara Ehrenreich, an author of published books, articles and essays on issues such as economic justice and healthcare.  Her theme was “Housing, the Heart of our Communities.”

This conference was a great opportunity to network with others in the housing field with the benefit of strengthening relationships and gaining fresh ideas in our day to day mission of strengthening relationships and gaining fresh ideas in our day to day mission of strengthening our community.

Senior Supervisor Duane Bontrager received certification as a Housing Development Finance Professional (HDFP) from the National Development Council (NDC).  Certification is a designation given to individuals who successfully complete an intensive housing development finance training series that is conducted by NDC.  The courses provide individuals working in the field of housing development with training in single-family home ownership finance, multi-family housing development finance, housing development finance including problem solving and deal structuring, and the creation and implementation of development programs.  The course consists of four week long seminars over a one year period.  There is an exam at the end of each week with a comprehensive examination upon completion of the course.

The NDC is a non-profit corporation which specializes in economic/housing development training and technical assistance for economic/housing development.

Tony is one of the first home owners to move into Bethany Court, Phase II if Covenant Heights.  He just moved in December, 2007 and is getting to know the neighbors.  His first impression of the neighborhood is that his street is fairly quiet, yet there are many children throughout the neighborhood.  He is enjoying his new home very much.  Tony learned about HCB from a friend and decided to buy a home in Covenant Heights after renting in Bridgewater.  He is pleased with the quality and energy efficiency of his home and glad he made the move.

Tony volunteers almost full-time with the food pantry at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.  The church food pantry is part of the Blue Ridge Area Food BAnk and serves 1,500 households per year.  A variety of services Tony works with include grocery distribution, hot meals on Wednesday evenings and hot lunches on Thursdays.

Tony has a daughter, Elizabeth, who is a junior at Virginia Tech.  We welcome Tony and Elizabeth to the neighborhood.

The land for the third and final phase of the Covenant Heights subdivision has been purchased from Grace Covenant Church.  The sale closed in January, 2008.  Phase III will be composed of 55 building lots and will be comprised of paired homes and town homes.  As the plat drawing becomes available for Phase III, it will be published in this newsletter.  Look for more details in the upcoming issues.

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta has awarded $105,000 in a competitive grant to HCB.  HCB was chosen to receive these funds for closing cost assistance to moderate to low income home-buyers.  Grant money would be enough to assist 21 home-buyers at $5,000 each.  Home buyers are eligible to receive these closing costs funds in addition to HOME funds from the Department of Housing and Community Development.  When HOME funds are available, closing cost assistance to home buyers comprises up to 10% of the cost of the new house.

HOPE COMMUNITY BUILDERS is a faith-based housing provider whose purpose is to empower residents of Harrisonburg/ Rockingham County and vicinity, by creating a community of fairness, justice, and hope through the provision of safe, decent and affordable housing. HCB Officers Conard Washington—Pres. Wayne Teel—V.P./Treas. Henry Whitelow – Secretary Asrat Gebre—CEO Staff Duane Bontrager Eric Beck HCB Board Members Don Allen Pat Blakey Sarah Sampson Cephornia Smith
	Hope Community Builders 450 Rockingham Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22802-5315 Phone: 540.433.0152 Email: asrat.gebre@hopecommunitybuilders.

A non-profit Community Housing Development Organization