HABITAT CONTINUES BUILDING HOMES FOR INSECURE ARMENIAN FAMILIES
ArmenPress
June 3 2004
ASHTARAK, JUNE 3, ARMENPRESS: Habitat for Humanity Armenia, a
non-government charitable organization that supports community
development in the Republic of Armenia by building and renovating
simple, decent, and affordable homes, has renovated the first of four
semi-built homes in the village of Voskeat, Aragatsotn province.
US ambassador to Armenia, John Ordway, traveled today to the village to
attend the start of the renovation of the second cottage. Some $5,000
are envisaged for renovation of each house. This an interest free-free
loan that the owner has to pay back in 20-25 years.
Armenian Habitat charitable non-governmental organization (NGO) was
founded in Armenia in March 2000 by a group of enthusiasts headed
by a former US Peace Corps volunteer. The prototype of this local
non-profit was Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI), which
“brings families and communities in need together with volunteers
and resources to build decent, affordable housing.”
Armenian Habitat operates in Armenia’s capital Yerevan and four
surrounding marzes – Aragatsoten, Armavir, Kotayk and Ararat. The
logic behind the NGO’s projects is that the grantee should be a needy
family but with a reliable source of monthly income, have an incomplete
house, and be prepared to pay roughly US $20-30/month for the next
20-25 years to reimburse fully Habitat’s non-interest-bearing loan,
and these funds will also be used for completing new houses.