Northern Berkshire Habitat for Humanity is seeking applicants to purchase and renovate its 825 West Shaft Road property.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Northern Berkshire Habitat for Humanity is seeking applicants to live in its next housing renovation project on West Shaft Road.

 

"There's so many people who deserve a home," said Board President Paul Austin.

 

Austin said the 825 West Shaft Road property is an approximately 1,200 square foot, three-bedroom home.

 

To qualify for selection, applicants must meet four requirements — a need for shelter, a sufficient income, be willing to put in 500 hours of "sweat equity" and have at least a year of residency in the Northern Berkshire area.

 

A need for shelter includes living in an overcrowded house or in unsanitary conditions, and paying too much for housing and necessary utilities — including energy. The group aims to renovate properties beyond the Energy Star rating.

 

The sweat equity includes about 500 hours of work on the house.

 

Although the mortgage for the house is unknown until renovation costs are accounted for, the mortgage itself will be interest-free Austin said. Applicants will need a sufficient income to make payments on the mortgage as well as utilities, home insurance and property taxes — all of which total about $500 to $600 a month on a 20- to 25-year mortgage.

 

Applications are due July 31. A selection is expected to be announced by the end of August. To learn how to apply, visit the Northern Berkshire Habitat for Humanity website. 

 

"Unfortunately, we have to pick one family each time," said Mary Morrison, the treasurer at the Northern Berkshire affiliate.

 

Morrison said the group tends to target families with children and that various studies, including by Habitat of Humanity and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, suggests that residents and children prosper better in a nice home.

 

"Children in a better home do better in school," Morrison said.

 

Austin said he hopes for the project to be completed by Christmas, but has "no promises." He said it's dependent on the number of volunteers, which the group is always looking for.

 

"We're dependent on continuous labor from local volunteers," said Morrison.

 

Austin said they'll accept volunteers of all skill levels and can teach them how to help renovate homes. Morrison called her experience volunteering, whether in home renovation or anything, a "very rewarding experience."

 

"I've really gotten to now a lot of great people and it's wonderful to watch the building process," Morrison said.

 

Other ways to get involved include donating skills, equipment and money.

 

Northern Berkshire Habitat for Humanity was established in the early 1990s and has renovated 10 homes in the area, the latest project being the Briggs home last year. For more information about the group or to volunteer, visit www.northernberkshirehabitat.org.