Tashieda Ingram (second from left) joins three other Habitat for Humanity future homeowners at an indoor groundbreaking ceremony last week. (Winnebago Chronicle photo)

Tashieda Ingram concedes she has few home construction skills — at least not yet.

The Rockford mom plans to quickly get up to speed as she helps build her new home with the aid of Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity volunteers.

“I can hammer a nail,” said Ingram, who has three daughters ranging in age from age 1 to 12. “I’ll be out there every Saturday, bright and early.”

Ingram and three other future Habitat homeowners were introduced at a ceremony last Thursday at Lino’s Restaurant, celebrating the non-profit group’s latest projects.

“Habitat has a long history here in the community, has been building houses  for over 25 years and have helped 125 families through our program,” said Keri Nelson, Rockford Habitat executive director. “We’ve built 108 new homes since 1991 and we are thrilled to get to invite four new families to join our Habitat family.”

The site for two new Habitat for Humanity homes in Rockford were muddy lots with a concrete foundation in place last week. Within the next few weeks homes will rise on the properties. (Winnebago Chronicle photo)

The site of her Ingram’s new home at the end of Geneva St. is currently a muddy lot with a concrete foundation. But starting in early May swarms of volunteers will raise walls, install a roof and perform myriad tasks that go into creating a home.

Ingram will contribute up to 300 volunteer hours of “sweat equity” in the effort, which should wrap up with an August move-in.

A formal groundbreaking was supposed to be held at Ingram’s lot. But threats of bad weather forced a switch to Lino’s lower level banquet room.

But the move didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the four families or Habitat members, volunteers and financial supporters.

“I think thrilled is an understatement,” Ingram said. “I’m ecstatic. I’m ready. It’s a blessing. I’ve tried conventional loans and its kind of hard. It took me a long time to get where I needed to get to. This opportunity came and I’m glad that I was chosen.”
Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization working in more than 70 countries to create decent and affordable housing for people with limited means. Since 1976, Habitat has helped more than five million people through home construction, rehabilitation and repairs.

Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity efforts have provided housing for nearly 500 children and adults.

According to Rockford Habitat, a three-bedroom home sold to a qualified family for $64,500 in 2013, funded through a no-interest loan.

Mortgage payments are typically 25 percent the family’s household income and as low as $481 a month.

Qualifiers for Habitat homes must demonstrate anded, be willing to work on the construction and show an ability to pay a mortgage. They also need  minimum household income of $19,200 and a credit score of 525 with “acceptable” income to debt ratios.