Habitat homeowner Casey Tatum accepts a quilt from Jean Shipley.

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Envision a world where everyone has a place to live.
A home of their own.
Habitat for Humanity of Davie County has that vision – and last month dedicated a home to a local family on Marconi Street in Mocksville.
The dedication included remarks from Habitat and town officials, and from Casey Tatum and her family, who have a new place to live and a new desire to help others achieve the same dream.
The day included a litany from Habitat board members and volunteers.
Sallye Liner: “Let this home be place where Casey and her family can grow in love and have peace.”
Chasity Robertson: “Let this home be a place where neighbors find hospitality, friendship, and encouragement in their own lives.”
Monica Belford: “With a deep and abiding love that binds families, volunteers, and all Habitat supporters.”
And from Preston Tatum: “Let this home be a place of fond memories and deep satisfaction.”
Mocksville Town Manager Lee Rollins talked about the need for affordable housing, and Debra Citta, EnergyUnited program coordinator, talked about building communities.
The family was presented a gift and a Bible by Neil Allerton, Habitat board vice president, Sue Whittaker, co-chair of the Davie Women’s Auxiliary, and Jean Shipley, a member of the Quilting Queens, which provided a handmade quilt for the family.
Lisa Nielsen, board president, welcomed guests and Bob Geyer, board member, offered the opening prayer. Jessie Folger, executive director, recognized partners and the new homeowner, while other remarks were from Dustin Millirons, owner of All About Care HVAC and Brian Johnson, Habitat’s construction manager.
Habitat’s website notes the need for affordable housing in Davie County:
• the average apartment rent in Davie County is $1,280 per month;
• to be affordable, a family’s yearly take-home pay could not fall below $46,080;
• the threshold could include people in occupations such as first responders, teachers, government employees and others.
“More than 40 percent of families in Davie County are cost burdened (spend more than 30 percent of income on housing),” Habitat’s statement said.
Participating families buy their homes on fixed rate mortgages through Habitat, and must spend hours working on their homes as well as the homes for others.
Habitat Davie built its first home in 1995, and has served some 30 families through construction as well as home repairs.
“We are driven by a vision of building strong and stable communities and believe in a world where everyone has a place to call home. Access to decent shelter is a fundamental human right that can help break the cycle of poverty, improve health and education, and create opportunities for a better life.
“At our core, we are motivated by the values of compassion, partnership, and service. Our work is often done in collaboration with volunteers, donors, and future homeowners themselves, with a focus on building homes that are safe, affordable, and sustainable. The goal is not only to provide shelter but to empower families and communities, giving them the tools and resources they need to thrive.”