Mayor John B. O’Reilly, Jr. (second from the right) was part of the dedication ceremony of two Habitat for Humanity homes on Feb. 6. New homeowners (from left) Ahmed Al-Karki and Rusul Al-Janabi and their daughter, Lamar Al-Karki, listened as Vincent Tilford, executive director of Habitat for Humanity-Detroit, welcomed them. Photo Courtesy of the City of Dearborn

DEARBORN — Mayor John B. O’Reilly, Jr. welcomed two families to Dearborn on Feb.6 during the dedication of their new houses built by Habitat for Humanity-Detroit, as part of a homeownership program supported by Wayne County and the City of Dearborn. Both the Drain and Al-Karki families received new homes as part of the program. 

“We’re so pleased that you are part of our community and hope you will be residents for a long time and enjoy all Dearborn has to offer,” Mayor O’Reilly told the families. Following the requirements of Habitat for Humanity, the new residents earned the right to buy the homes by volunteering for 250-400 hours at Habitat sites, taking financial literacy classes and fulfilling other responsibilities. 

Habitat sells the homes with no-interest mortgages. The homes, on Neckel Street in east Dearborn, are among 12 Habitat sites in the city and are part of Dearborn’s neighborhood stabilization program. They were built in a mature neighborhood on lots that once were eyesore properties. The City acquired the property and demolished the deteriorating houses with neighborhood stabilization funds in order to create fresh housing stock with more modern amenities on larger parcels. The ranch-style homes have garages and brick facades and will include appealing landscaping in the future. Wayne County contributed to the project through funds allocated for housing and urban development.

So far, 764 volunteers from Dearborn and around the region have logged almost 10,000 hours working on Dearborn homes.  The volunteers have included City of Dearborn employees. In addition to the two dedicated this week, another Dearborn home is occupied, with a fourth one likely to be ready in a few weeks. Construction will continue throughout 2014. To volunteer, visit www.habitatdetroit.org.