RUN: 10/11/25
K*ll: 10/24/25
CONTACT: MELISSA MCDANIEL- (217) 348-7063 or
Y29sZXNjb3VudHloYWJpdGF0IHwgY29uc29saWRhdGVkICEgbmV0
COLES COUNTY HABITAT PLANS HOME BLESSING IN CHARLESTON
Coles County Habitat for Humanity has announced a Home Blessing for their latest completed home build. This home is the 47th to be built by the Coles County affiliate. “The Home Blessing is the culmination of months of hard work by our volunteers, staff, and the home owners,” Habitat Director Melissa McDaniel said.
The Home Blessing will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 25 at 1020 Jefferson in Charleston.
This new home is being built for the family of Julie Boyette. Boyette began volunteering for Habitat in 2015. It was through that experience that she learned about the program’s process for home ownership. “I knew that Habitat was an amazing organization, but I never dreamed that I would have the chance to become a homeowner,” Boyette said.
The Boyette home will be a four bedroom house that will meet the needs of Julie and her three children for years to come. Habitat homeowners have the opportunity to select custom features and fixtures for their homes thanks to the support of generous corporate sponsors and local donors.
Part of Habitat for Humanity’s mission is to give homeowners a hand up, not a hand out. This means that they have several requirements for applicants. Applicants must be in need of safe, affordable housing. While this requirement varies from community to community, applicants may be dealing with substandard housing; rent or mortgage that’s greater than 30% of their gross monthly income; unhealthy living conditions; or a home that is inaccessible for their disabilities.
Applicants must have low- to moderate-income, which means their household income must not exceed 80% of the area median income. Homebuyers also participate in homeowner education classes that cover home maintenance and repairs; as well as saving, managing a mortgage, and maintaining personal finances. Each class is crafted to help empower participants to be successful homeowners. “These classes give our homeowners the tools they need for long-term success,” McDaniel said.
Once selected, homebuyers must partner with Habitat throughout the process. This partnership includes performing “sweat equity,” or helping to build their own home or the homes of others in our homeownership program. Finally, applicants must be able and willing to pay an affordable mortgage. Habitat ensures that the monthly mortgage payments do not exceed 30% of the homebuyer’s gross monthly income at closing. Mortgage payments are cycled back into the community to help build additional Habitat houses.
“Our homeowners work extremely hard for months, or sometimes years, to get to the point of a Home Blessing,” McDaniel said. “That’s why we invite the entire community to join us for this special occasion and to celebrate with us as we welcome families home.”
Also check out other Workshops in Charleston, Performances in Charleston, Entertainment events in Charleston.
