Update: The goal of $6600 for a new roof for the Williams Family's new home has been reached! Thank you to the 46 individuals, organizations, and businesses that donated to this family and Manatee Habitat. "We are so excited to be one step closer to our new home. We are so thankful for everyone that has donated and helped us out along our journey so far!" said Ashlee Williams.
For over a year and a half, Keith and Ashlee Williams and their two daughters, Rylee, 6, and Avree, 3, have been living in a 260-square foot FEMA trailer at an RV park in Bradenton, Florida. Keith, 25, works for a land developer in Ruskin, and Ashlee, 24, is employed at an optometrist’s office in Bradenton. Both are graduates of Palmetto High School. Keith and Ashlee made the decision to move their family of four into the trailer in order to pay off debt and work toward their dream of homeownership, but it hasn’t been an easy road.
“I worry about everything,” said Ashlee. “These trailers are supposedly very flammable. Before we leave, I make sure everything is unplugged. And, this season, we had several transient families living on either side of our lot. It makes me nervous with my girls.”
Keith added to the list of concerns, “Our roof is very soft; these trailer roofs are made of latex. I’m constantly sweeping leaves off the roof to keep it clear. We have no heat, so for those few cold nights in winter, we all huddled together to keep warm. I also think we may have a leak in the bathroom, so I worry about mold.”
Keith and Ashlee learned about the Manatee County Habitat for Humanity Homebuyer Program after they were already in the trailer, working toward buying a home. They applied for the program in 2014 and got accepted earlier this year.
Manatee Habitat’s Homebuyer Program provides a “hand up” to enable qualified candidates by offering them the opportunity to purchase a Habitat home with a zero percent interest loan. Qualified families selected to participate in the Homebuyer Program must have a need for housing, meet income and credit guidelines, and be willing to partner with Manatee Habitat and contribute 300-500 hours of sweat equity working on the construction of their home and the homes of their future Habitat neighbors.
Keith and Ashlee have been enjoying earning their sweat equity hours. “We have been out working with Habitat almost every weekend,” said Keith. “We are learning so much about building homes and meeting so many great people.”
Ashlee agreed, teary-eyed. “This program has restored my faith in humanity. My dream has always been to own a home. I always used to doodle the same picture of a white house with green grass, me, Keith and two kids.”
Rylee and Avree are very excitedly looking forward to “their own room!” Rylee said she wants a pink bedroom, while Avree wants purple.
Manatee County Habitat for Humanity is seeking donations to help get the Williams family into their new home as soon as possible. A goal has been set of $6600 to help the Williams to “raise the roof” on their new home; the cost of a new metal roof. Manatee Habitat has started a Go Fund Me page. If you would like to donate directly to the Williams’ family’s new home, please visit http://www.gofundme.com/williamshabitat .
To learn more about the Manatee Habitat Homebuyer Program, or its other programs such as the Veteran Build program and Neighborhood Revitalization, visit www.manateehabitat.org.
