A unique collaboration makes dream come true for local couple

Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity (GSHFH), Holyoke Housing Authority (HHA), and the University of Massachusetts DesignBuild program have partnered to make a local couple’s dream of affordable homeownership come true.

Pedro (left) and his wife Damaris smile for the camera after learning they were selected to purchase a soon-to-be constructed modest home in Holyoke. The project is a unique collaboration between Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity, Holyoke Housing Authority, and the University of Massachusetts DesignBuild program.

In a unique collaboration, HHA has donated a plot of land on Chestnut Street. Greater Springfield Habitat will prepare the site and build the foundation. UMass DesignBuild professors and students will create and construct a modular home, and oversee delivery to the Holyoke site. GSHFH will then finish the inside work and sell the new home to Pedro and his wife Damaris, longtime Holyoke residents.

“I’m so excited to see what the students design for Pedro and Damaris. They were such an enthusiastic group when we recently shared the news with them and the family,” said Olga Callirgos, GSHFH Homeowner Programs coordinator. “The students were attentive and kind, and some even attempted to speak to Pedro and Damaris in Spanish, even though it wasn’t their first language. This project is a learning experience for all of us and I hope we can do more projects like this in the future.”

Naomi Darling, design studio professor at Mount Holyoke College and UMass Architecture Department, agreed.

“There is a unanimous accord. The highlight of this project, thus far, has been seeing Pedro and Damaris react to the news that they would soon be homeowners,” she said. “The joy on their faces was incredibly moving and reaffirmed our commitment to deliver a home that will house their dreams and memories for years to come.”

Home design is scheduled to begin this spring with construction commencing this summer. The house is expected to be delivered in the fall. The design will emphasize the energy efficiency via highly-insulated and air-sealed exterior assemblies, triple-glazed windows, all-electric appliances/utilities, and low-embodied carbon building materials, such as wood fiber, hemp, and straw, said Ben Leinfelder, construction manager of UMass Building and Construction Technology.

“Our hope is that the students enter the workforce as ethical, responsible designers and constructors to the benefit of our communities and the people who call these houses “home,” Naomi said.

While some may view the house as “tiny,” the UMass DesignBuild team prefers to call it “modest.” It will encompass the comfort and convenience of a larger home, but with a more compact and manageable footprint. The one-bedroom home will have full-sized appliances and fixtures in the kitchen and bathroom, and plenty of storage throughout the home.

“It’s the perfect size for a couple or single person who wants the lifestyle and private outdoor space of a single-family home without the heating bill and added maintenance of a larger, older house,” Naomi said. “This is exactly the scale of home that is missing in our housing market and for which there is an increasing demand.”

Families applying for the homeownership opportunity had to be clients of the HHA’s self-sufficiency program; earn between 35% and 60% of the area median income for Hampden County; have a positive credit history showing timely payments; a debt-to-income ratio of less than 43%; and the ability to pay 29% of their household income toward a mortgage.

Additionally, future homeowners are required to perform sweat equity, which is Habitat’s hands-on investment. To keep costs affordable, selected Habitat families work alongside volunteers on the construction of their home, participate in office activities, or at events.

Pedro, who is retired, attended every info session, and submitted the necessary forms two days after the application cycle opened. He and his wife currently live in a one-bedroom apartment and have complained about their unfriendly neighbors who they say makes their everyday life unenjoyable. Pedro and Damaris don’t have children together, but have a large blended family. Pedro has two daughters from a previous relationship and seven grandchildren. Damaris has three children and five grandchildren.

“All of our family selections are by lottery. Pedro and Damaris passed all qualifications with flying colors to be included in the lottery. They are also very dedicated to achieving the dream of homeownership, which they were starting to believe was impossible due to the current housing market,” said Vivian Rodriguez, HHA Homeownership Education coordinator and interpreter for the couple.

When Pedro and Damaris received the news of their acceptance into the project, Pedro said he was quite surprised. “I didn’t think they had picked anyone yet and HHA said I was just coming for an info session. This is such a dream. We were very surprised.”