BREA : ‘Habitat’ Builders Put Up 4 Condos

The hammering and sawing began early Friday when the sun was still kind. As the mercury rose, the frames of the two-story condominium apartment rose with it.

Roman Macias paused to watch as more than 100 volunteers for Habitat for Humanity built a piece of his American dream right before his eyes.

“No more rent,” said the father of seven. “It’s my home, you know.”

Thanks to the Georgia-based housing organization, four low-income families soon will know the joy of home ownership when the four-unit building is completed in Brea.

A few months ago, the prospect of owning a home seemed remote for Macias, a precision machine operator. His annual salary of $17,000, he said, is not enough to save for a down payment, not with seven children and certainly not in Orange County.

Now the Maciases will own a four-bedroom, two-bath condominium. They must pay only 1% of the estimated $43,000 to $46,000 cost as a down payment, and the balance will be paid through a 20-year, interest-free mortgage. They also must put in at least 600 hours building their own home. The home, when it is completed, is expected to be worth about three times the cost.

Macias spent most of the morning nailing and sawing. The volunteers helping him came from all walks of life and included a few architects, a psychologist and a physicist. They worked under the direction of professionals.

The construction workers--easy to spot because of their tans and their ability to sink nails in two swipes-- offered tips to their amateur counterparts.

“We are the brain right now,” said framer Scott Hapke. “They are the brawn.”

Workers paused once in a while in the heat, wiping sweat from their faces.

“I like working with my hands,” said Orange resident Jim Kortright, who normally is a medical radiation physicist. “It’s nice to see the results of your work immediately.”

Victoria Snider, a Long Beach psychologist, got involved a few years ago because her brother is the chief executive officer of Habitat for Humanity International.

“The exciting thing about Habitat is that we are not giving people houses,” she said. “We are helping people help themselves.”

Bob Wright, a retired school principal, volunteered for the first time Friday.

“I’m just up here doing whatever they want me to do, any flunky job,” the San Clemente resident said. “Life’s been good to me. You ought to give a little back.”

Founded by Millard Fuller in 1976, Habitat for Humanity has built more than 10,000 homes world wide.

The Orange County chapter has built 53 homes since 1988. Its current project will allow four families, chosen from more than 1,000 low-income families, to own two three-bedroom and two four-bedroom apartments.

The 6,000-square-foot construction site was donated by the city of Brea. To keep building costs own, Habitat relies on volunteers and donated materials.

By noon, the workers had completed framing most of the first floor.

“Sunday, when you walk away from here, this place will be framed up to the roof,” said volunteer Pat Austin.