CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A retired Marine is getting his first chance at becoming a homeowner and construction is underway on his new home in southwest Charlotte.
“It’s exciting,” said Charlotte native Norcecil Lowery.
As a first time homebuyer, he’s looking forward to the simple things.
“Privacy,” he said with a smile. “And a covered front porch.”
Lowery is battling health issues and chose the location of his new home because it’s close to the VA Hospital.
He’s familiar with the area as he used to live just down the street many years ago. He’s been renting an apartment, but had never been able to afford a new home until now. He applied for a Habitat for Humanity home months ago and was excited to learn he’d been approved.
Habitat for Humanity offers homeowners a 30 year interest-free mortgage. The average payment is less than $500 a month, a far cry from Charlotte’s average rent of $1,200 a month.
"We are able to provide houses for families who otherwise would not be able to afford a home,” said Habitat for Humanity site supervisor Anna Davis.
Homeowners must put in 300 hours of sweat equity. Habitat for Humanity also keeps the cost down by using volunteers across the community.
Thursday volunteers from NBC Charlotte worked to lay the subfloor on Lowery’s new home.
"This feels amazing,” said Charlotte Today cohost Colleen Odegaard. “You know we do all these stories about the affordable housing crisis and for our team at WCNC to be out here and actually doing this hands-on project, it feels incredible to know we're helping."
Lowery stopped by the job site to see his house for the first time. During his last visit it was just an empty lot. Now the foundation is poured and the subfloor is complete.
“It’s great,” he said. “I can imagine what it will be like.”
Davis says having volunteers on the job site every day is a huge help.
"We need the help of volunteers. Volunteers make all of this happen,” said Davis as employees behind her pounded in nails.
Construction is expected to be complete in the spring. And that’s exciting for Lowery, who already has big visions of turning the house into his home.
“You know a pet would be nice,” he said.
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