For almost 10 years, Scott and Kancie Orris have dreamed of owning their own home. But the biggest challenge had been being able to make a down payment.
Now the family is moving into a 1,300-square-foot home with three bedrooms and two bathrooms, a life change presented by McKean County Habitat for Humanity. The organization spearheaded efforts to build a house at 277 Congress St.
“Our current home is an older one that needs some fixing up, and with the new we love the fact that everything is brand new,” Scott said. “It’s a bit smaller than what we have now, but we always say that love grows best in small houses.”
Habitat partners with volunteers to construct homes, which are then sold to families at no profit and no interest. The Orrises have two children who will live at the home, an 18-year-old and a 5-year-old.
“This is a great feeling of accomplishment. We make homes that are simple, decent and affordable,” said Harry Solarek, president of county Habitat for Humanity.
Scott and Kancie have put in “sweat equity” –– work on the home, totalling dozens of hours. They’ll continue volunteering toward other projects, which could include another home being built under the supervision of Habitat for Humanity, Solarek said.
Also helping construct the home was the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Habitat, as well as campus athletes. Students at the Seneca Highlands Career and Technical Center of Port Allegany built the outer shell of the home.
“We’re thrilled. It’s been a culmination of about a year and a half,” Solarek said.
On Tuesday, several people milled through the home during an open house, being able to view it before the Orris family moves in.
Several families applied to Habitat to live in the home, but only two qualified, Solarek said. The Orris family was chosen, and the other family will have a chance at the next Habitat home, he said.
“We were very, very excited that we got chosen — to the point that it brought tears of joy,” Scott said. “We are extremely excited about moving in. We actually started tonight (Wednesday).”
Not all of the work is completed on the property. The exterior of the home will be tackled in the spring, including the back deck, Solarek said.
McKean County Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit Christian housing organization, became an affiliate of Habitat For Humanity International on April 1, 2009. McKean County Habitat for Humanity is also affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Habitat.
Over the winter, the local Habitat for Humanity will fundraise for a series of painting projects at homes occupied by the elderly and veterans, Solarek said.
In two years, the local organization is planning on building its third home, he said. The first Habitat home is along the corner of Interstate Parkway and Willard Avenue in Bradford.
