Londonderry on the Tred Avon employees Shavonte Green and Duval Mills (below) are each pictured with Londonderry resident Lari Caldwell and a representative of Habitat for Humanity Choptank. Both Green and Mills recently signed up and were approved to go through the process of becoming homebuyers through Habitat for Humanity with the encouragement of Caldwell, a long-time volunteer for the organization.
Two employees of Londonderry on the Tred Avon are on the path to realizing their dream of owning a home thanks to Habitat for Humanity Choptank and the assistance of one of Londonderry’s residents.
Shavonte Green and Duval Mills both learned about Habitat for Humanity when representatives from the organization visited Londonderry to talk employees and fill them in on the process of becoming a homeowner.
“It felt like a good option for me,” Mills, head waiter at Londonderry, said. “I’m very excited.”
Green and Mills were both able to learn a little more about Habitat from Londonderry resident Lari Caldwell, who’s volunteered with the program for about a decade. A former social worker, she serves on Habitat for Humanity Choptank Homebuyer Selection Committee, helping to look into applicants’ backgrounds and choose good candidates for the program.
Though she recused herself from the committee in this case, she’s done what she can to encourage them both along.
“I did promote them as responsible young people who would do well as candidates for Habitat,” Caldwell said. “They’re both very pleasant and personable, and I think this will be wonderful for both of them.”
According to Habitat for Humanity Choptank, applicants must be free of outstanding collectible debt before closing, save for closing costs, pay an affordable mortgage for the cost of the home, and assume responsibility for maintaining the home, and for paying home owners insurance and property taxes. The biggest piece of the process is the completion of 300-400 “sweat equity” hours — essentially volunteer service to the program.
“Our philosophy is about building neighborhoods and helping people to live their best life in their communities,” Caldwell said. “We really want to assure that the people that come into our program really want to be there.”
Green and Mills are still early in the process, but are very much looking forward to going through it. In fact, Caldwell says Mills has already done many of many of his sweat equity hours despite just being approved by Habitat.
“He’s really, very motivated,” Caldwell said. “I’m very proud of both of them for doing what they have to take this step in life.”
Londonderry on the Tred Avon is an intimate residential cooperative community for adults ages 62 and up, offering a variety of housing options from convenient apartments to spacious cottages among 29 acres, including 1500 feet of waterfront shoreline. For more information, click here.
