Habitat for Humanity chooses single mother of 4 to receive its 23rd home
ST. GEORGE – Habitat for Humanity of Southwest Utah broke ground Thursday on its 23rd home since 1998, this one for single mom Kasidy Havens and her four children.
A ceremony was held to introduce the family and the location of their new home in Washington City. Habitat staff, volunteers, donors, sponsors and Washington County dignitaries attended the ceremony.
About four years ago Havens went through a divorce and was left to find housing for herself and her kids, Shelby, Grant, Drake and Chase. Havens applied to all of the low income housing options in the area but was not able to afford them. Eventually she found an 800-square-foot basement apartment for the five of them to live in.
Before the divorce Havens had been a stay-at-home mom. She had an associate degree, and decided to sign up for the pharmacy technology program at then Dixie Applied Technology College. Now Havens works at the college as an instructor in the pharmacy program.
Havens met Linda Baker and Lil Barron from Habitat for Humanity at a luncheon she spoke at. They thought that she would be a good candidate and recommended that she apply for the program. She did apply but doubted that she would be chosen. Then she was. Now, two years later, they have begun the building process.
“It gives me affordable housing and the opportunity to continue to move my life forward. Having a safe place for my family is such a relief, I don’t have to worry as a single mom of four kids,” Havens said.
The Havens family helped complete the construction of the last Habitat home to start working on their 250 required sweat-equity hours.
Havens said she is unsure when exactly the house will be finished since the labor is volunteer based, but she estimates early spring.
Habitat for Humanity of Southwest Utah has built 22 homes in the past 20 years, helping over 125 people become homeowners.
The organization’s purpose is to build safe, good quality affordable housing for families in Washington County who are between 60 percent and 80 percent of the area’s median income.
“I think it’s amazing the people in our community that sacrificed and worked so hard to help each other,” Havens said. “I am just grateful that my kids and I get to be a part of it because it’s teaching us about helping those in need and helping us to see who in our community needs help and giving us the opportunity to do something about it.”
Families go through a long process to be selected for a Habitat home, Barron said. When Habitat has property and the finances to build a home, people are able to submit online applications.
Applicants must attend a mandatory meeting where Habitat employees explain how the process works and what they’re looking for in the chosen applicant. Then a selection committee checks their credit and visits their current home to make sure there really is a need. Then a board of directors makes the final decision.
They encourage families to apply, Barron said, even if they don’t think they have a chance to be selected.
“This could be the hand-up that you wouldn’t get otherwise,” Barron said.
Habitat homes are not free. Homeowners make zero-percent interest payments, which usually come out to approximately $500-$600 per month, which is less than rent for many families.
“We encourage our families to take their money and do something,” Barron said. “Take that opportunity with that extra money you’re saving. Go back to school, do something with your kids.”
Habitat for Humanity of Southwest Utah is sponsored by the George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Foundation, Sorensen Legacy Foundation, S & S Home Builders and past Habitat homeowners.
This 23rd house is being built in honor of John Donnell, a past Habitat board member, who died last year. The group remembers Donnell’s legacy as they build this home.
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