Dedication Date Set for Habitat for Humanity Home
In early July, Hazar Mansour and Hussam Alhallak and their three children moved into the Habitat for Humanity home they helped build at 120 Crescent Street in Rutland. The completion of their home was delayed because of social distancing restrictions that limited the number of volunteers that could work on the house.
The Covid 19 virus also delayed the formal dedication ceremony. Normally, the dedication ceremony is held before a family moves into their home. Habitat homes are built with much work from many people, businesses, supporters and neighbors. As we cannot all meet due to group size restrictions, we will have a hybrid event. The Alhallak family has invited a small group to come and share words as part of the dedication and volunteers and business partners will participate on a Zoom conference. We would like to be able to include anyone who wants to participate, but we cannot accommodate unlimited numbers on Zoom. Therefore we are making this announcement to let the community know of another successful Habitat home build and to encourage people to welcome the Alhallak family to Rutland.
Not long ago, things were radically different for Hazar and Hussam. When the war hit Syria, they were living a good life in the center of Damascus. "We kept waiting," Hazar said of the war waging on. "But things never changed." Finally, Alhallak said there was a risk that he could be drafted into Bashir al-Assad's army, and Hussam knew that meant he would be forced to commit horrible acts of violence for the regime.
Hussam and Hazar fled to Turkey instead, where they lived for two years, but Turkey wasn't necessarily kind to Syrians. When Hussam finally found employment, the pay was only half of what the Turks made. "It was our dream," Alhallak said. "To come to America." When they arrived, they did not speak English and did not know anyone in Rutland.
Their new home was built with the help of 145 different volunteers from the Rutland area who contributed a total of 5,816 hours building the home. In addition, many local contractors contributed or discounted their services and materials to make the home more affordable. All funds used to purchase building materials and contract services were contributed by local residents to Habitat for Humanity of Rutland County. Habitat conveyed a no-interest mortgage and will use mortgage payments to help other area families in need of safe and affordable housing.
Habitat for Humanity Board President Eric Solsaa said the affiliate is currently reviewing applications from people who might qualify for what Solsaa called a "tight economic window." Applicants must have a stable income, good credit, and be living in a situation where high rent or unsuitable living conditions make raising a family difficult. Solsaa hopes that the dedication ceremony will not only celebrate the strength and generosity of the Rutland area community, but will increase awareness of the opportunity for another hard-working local resident to become a Habitat homeowner. To learn more people should call 802-747-7440.
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