Home ownership builds future hope

Newsboy photo/ Charles Kerr DIGGING IN, Ralph Rosedale breaks ground for Magnolia Place, the 22-home subdivision to be built by homeowners and Self Help Housing in Newton. Cathleen Foster (left) will be the first resident. Joe Miller Jr. (right) and other supporters attended a dedication ceremony April 26.

Even before Hurricane Rita decimated houses in East Texas, Ralph Rosedale and Ray Lewis were looking at ways to bring affordable homes to low income families in East Texas.

Last week the two men figured prominently in the dedication ceremony for Magnolia Place, the Self Help Housing subdivision to be built in Newton. Lewis thanked Rosedale for "allowing me to catch on to the vision."

Executive director Gregory Yawson says additional subdivisions and family homes will be built in Jasper and other areas of East Texas.

SHHET board member Alton Scott told the assembly, "Home ownership will change people. I grew up in the projects, and I know now that everything changes when you own your own home."

Grants and donations purchased the 10+ acres and will enable SHHET to buy materials for the homes. SHHET trains would-be owners to supply 65 percent of the nontechnical labor to build their own homes. Professional labor will perform jobs like wiring and plumbing.

Yawson has signed up contractors who will supervise family members and friends and ensure the quality of the finished homes.

The plan calls for four or five families at a time to work together. By helping each other, Yawson believes the community will bond as they build. Magnolia Place will eventually have 22 homes, a community clubhouse and a playground.

Newton mayor Rachel Martin congratulated the first homeowner, Cathleen Foster, whose family will help her build her home.

Eddie Hopkins of First National Bank in Jasper said, "This opportunity to help gives me great joy and the bank is honored to be a part of it. I can't wait to see concrete being poured. We are looking forward to participating in Jasper soon too."