Published: March 14, 2008 09:32 pm      

Rupert woman, family to get new home

RUPERT — Greenbrier County Habitat for Humanity has joined forces with local unions and businesses to build a 1,100-square-foot home for a single mother with four children.

Construction on the stick-built home began in earnest this week when eight members of Carpenter’s Local 1911 of Beckley began framing the home. All of their work was donated.

Luke Begovich, a business agent for the union, said their work most likely will be finished by Sunday and then International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 466 of Princeton will work on wiring the home.

Affiliated Construction Trades and Ironworkers Local 697 of Roanoke, Va., is also participating in the project.

“I’m glad we are able to help out someone who was in need of a home,” Begovich said.

The home is being built for Tara Boothe, a correctional officer at FCI-Alderson. She currently lives in a one-bedroom apartment with her boyfriend and four children. Her newborn is only 3 weeks old.

“When I went through my divorce, all I could afford was a one-bedroom apartment,” Boothe said. “I went online and found Habitat for Humanity and I submitted an application.”

A number of businesses are also donating time and supplies with the effort, including:

- Sterling Construction will provide construction management.

- Lynch Construction will lift the roof trusses in place.

- O.C. Cluss Lumber will supply lumber.

Paul Jacoby, project manager with Habitat for Humanity, said the exact cost of the home won’t be known until it is finished. Jacoby said Boothe’s need for affordable housing as a single mother with four children made her an ideal selection.

“We identify people who are in need and who could probably not raise the money for a down payment for a home,” Jacoby said.

Jacoby said “sweat equity” is also required by the homeowner for the project. Boothe’s father is a carpenter and will be working on the house, he said.

“Sweat equity can be painting the house or cleaning up the site,” He said.

The home sits on a three-quarter-acre lot which was purchased by Habitat for Humanity after Boothe found the parcel.

Once completed, Boothe will become a new homeowner after fulfilling her responsibilities with Habitat for Humanity.

She believes her payments will be about as much as the one-bedroom apartment she’s renting now.

It’s estimated the home will be finished in about six weeks.

“I walked away with nothing after my divorce and now I will have a house that is all mine,” Boothe said. “That just tickles me to death.”

For more information on how to help with the next phase of the home, contact Jacoby at 647-3342 or pauljacobywv@yahoo.com.

— E-mail: cgiggenbach@register-herald.com