SALISBURY, MD - In the next year, Habitat for Humanity could complete all its houses currently under construction in the Church Street neighborhood, but new Executive Director Chris Barnes doesn't want the ministry's work to stop there. The nonprofit has created seven homeownerships in the neighborhood, and in one year's time, Barnes said the number will be 10.
Like the mantra of Salisbury Neighborhood Housing, another group helping low-income residents into homes, Habitat spurs homeownership to create more pride among residents. "There's more of a community effort and community spirit that's genuine," said the Rev. Ronald Bell, executive director of Salisbury Urban Ministries. "Because of Habitat's presence in the Church Street community." Salisbury Urban Ministries is a Methodist Church as well as a nondenominational community outreach organization that performs work in the Church Street neighborhood.
Barnes has been with Habitat since September when he replaced two-year director Barry King. Since then, Barnes has enjoyed every day of his new job out of the corporate world. "It's been so long since I wanted to get up in the morning," he said with a smile Tuesday. And he isn't the only thing that's green about Habitat; their green build on Martin Street is an environmentally efficient design which began construction in July and is well on its way to completion. "We'll paint it green for you," joked Mike Taylor, construction manager at Habitat. The one-room wide home was designed with natural cross ventilation and faces south to allow sunlight in during winter months while a cocked roof provides shade in the summer.
But the green build will be the third to last Habitat project in the Church Street neighborhood, unless Barnes can secure more property. Habitat's positive effort in the Church Street community is one that residents and community organizers would hate to see end. Bell said between the time he left Wicomico County 16 years ago and his recent return, he's seen Church Street go from destitute to rejuvenated. "It was a downtrodden community with old buildings and the property was in pretty bad shape," he said. "Habitat has come in and built new homes and even restored old ones. It is a much more beautiful neighborhood."
While the community spirit kindled by Habitat isn't going anywhere, Barnes isn't sure how to go about continuing to build. He said lately, he's just been taking drives through the neighborhood, finding vacant properties and locating the owner. He then contacts them to ask for their help with a donation. So far, Barnes has had some luck with this method. He said he's currently in negotiations with one property. But he, like King, has a dream for something bigger in the neighborhood.
During a walking tour in July, King pointed to a large block of property near the railroad tracks and said someday he hopes to see a multifamily unit erected through Habitat - and if not there, somewhere in the neighborhood. Barnes agreed and hopes that under his guidance, Habitat might find the right property and a generous donor.
Mayor Barrie Parsons Tilghman said she's doing everything she can to continue the partnership with Habitat, one she said she started about seven years ago. "This has certainly been a great success story," she said. "It's a success for Habitat, a success for the homeowners and certainly a terrific help in the amazing revitalization effort that is going on in Church Street. We want to continue this partnership."
Tilghman said a community development block grant she is currently working on may open the door for a home lottery, which she said may be able to involve Habitat; and the recent donation of the Linens of the Week property to the city may also serve as a project for which the organization to partner.
Source: delmarvanow.com