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First Harbor Habitat for Humanity “Partner Family” Pays off Home Mortgage
In October 2010 the Roberson family became the first Harbor Habitat for Humanity “partner family” to complete the mortgage terms on their Habitat home. Gloria Roberson and her daughter Tonya were one of two partner families selected for homes in 1996, Harbor Habitat’s first year building homes in Benton Harbor. “Gloria Roberson was a model ‘partner family’ consistently making her monthly payments on time, year after year,” says Lisa LaValley, Harbor Habitat’s Director of Finance and Interim Executive Director.
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| HHFH Board of Directors with Roberson Family |
In 1996, Gloria Roberson was one of a number of applicants who responded to an advertisement Harbor Habitat placed in the Herald Palladium soliciting potential partner families. “I waited until the very last hour of the very last day to get my application in,” Gloria admits. “It was my teenage daughter who finally convinced me that this was something that we could do together, and I filled it out and drove it down to the [Harbor Habitat] office.”
When reflecting on how her life has been impacted by this opportunity for home ownership, Gloria talked about security and financial stability, but clearly stated that getting her daughter out of the substandard living conditions that they were in and raising her in a home that she owned was what inspired her to complete the 300 hours of required sweat equity to build their home, and make the mortgage payments each month. “We are just so thankful for this opportunity, for the friendships we have made and the sense of accomplishment that this has given us.”
Roberson made additional payments to pay off her mortgage ahead of schedule. “I didn’t want to take any debt into 2011. It was a goal, and I stuck to it.” Gloria claims she has no plans to burn the completed mortgage document she received, but says she will quietly celebrate the accomplishment in her heart.
"Gloria exemplifies the kind of partner and homeowner Habitat seeks and celebrates," says Sandy Pearson, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Michigan. "Gloria's early payoff on her mortgage has helped keep hope alive for other Michigan families because loan repayments help Habitat build and repair additional houses."
In the fifteen years that followed Harbor Habitat’s partnership with the Roberson family, the affiliate has partnered with area business, churches and volunteer groups to complete a total of 104 Habitat homes in the Benton Harbor community, and helped 104 local families achieve their goals for homeownership. On July 24, 2010, Harbor Habitat celebrated their 15 year anniversary with the dedication of House #100 and the raising of the walls on house #101, celebrating the milestone achievement, and demonstrating their dedication to continue building affordable homes in Benton Harbor.
According to Stephen Brobeck, Executive Director of the Consumer Federation of America, “Paying off the mortgage on a home has been, and will continue to be, the easiest way for lower income households to build personal wealth.” In paying off their mortgage, the Roberson family, not only eliminated the cost of housing from their monthly budget, but they have secured a valuable asset for their family.
Affordable housing is one of the most crucial needs in this country – one in three American families spends more than 30 percent of its income on housing and one in seven spends more than 50 percent.* In Benton Harbor/Benton Township, the largest community in Berrien County, there is a disproportionate number of rental properties as compared to owner-occupied homes. Aging community stock and lack of new single-family residential construction has created a severe housing need in the community. |
Be one of the first to play the full 18 holes at Harbor Shores, Benton Harbor’s Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course. Join community and business leaders in a fun, memorable day July 16 of golf while supporting Harbor Habitat’s mission of eradicating substandard housing in the Benton Harbor community. Or, show your business’ support for Benton Harbor’s transformation, and Harbor Habitat’s mission, by sponsoring a hole. For more information contact Director of Development Chris Laurent at 269-925-9635. 
