Habitat for Humanity Northeast Michigan Executive Director Ted Fines said construction has been moving along smoothly, as anyone passing by 307, 317, and 321 Bedford St. has likely noticed throughout the summer.

“It’s a great location,” Fines said about the Bedford Street homes near Ella White Elementary School. “This is going to enhance this neighborhood so much. These houses sat here for years, abandoned.”

He said the homes that were located there were built back in the 1920s and 1930s and they were beyond repair, so they were torn down to make room for the Habitat homes.

Contractors started foundation work on April 18, and now the structures have been constructed, and should be move-in ready by October, Fines said.

Courtesy Photo In this photo provided by Ted Fines, Habitat for Humanity Northeast Michigan executive director, a newly built Habitat home on Bedford Street is seen near Ella White Elementary School in Alpena.

Fines said the State Land Bank in Lansing provided $500,000 to Alpena County Land Bank to purchase the properties, do environmental studies, and demolition prior to the Habitat homes being constructed. He added that Habitat for Humanity has worked closely with Alpena Planning, Development, and Zoning Director Montiel Birmingham and the Alpena County Land Bank to acquire the properties. Fines said environmental contaminants were found within the original structures, so that was another reason for them to be torn down.

Fines explained that every Habitat for Humanity family or individual undergoes a rigorous qualification process to purchase the homes, which they pay an affordable mortgage on. They also put in “sweat equity” which means they help during some of the building phases.

“They are prequalified, so they’re basically just waiting,” Fines said of the residents. “These families have worked hard and they’ve been patient, and I think by October they’ll be moving in.”

Two of the homes will feature three bedrooms, a one-car garage, one bathroom, a living room, kitchen, and a front and back porch. Those two, 317 and 321 Bedford, will go to prequalified families. He said 307 Bedford will have two bedrooms, and is going to a retired teacher who has never owned a home before.

“They’re going to be very comfortable to live in,” Fines said.

He stressed that Habitat works with families and individuals from start to finish, helping them through the financial qualification process every step of the way, to keep them headed in the right direction even after they move into their new homes.

“It’s hard for people to understand, at times, what Habitat offers, and the opportunities this opens up,” Fines said, adding that homeownership is a huge step in offering security for families and individuals who need it most. “The long-term impact is amazing.”

Dave Marchlewski has provided excavating services for the sites, and Bryan DeCare Masonry has overseen construction. Ritz-Craft Corporation out of Jonesville is providing the modular homes for two of the sites, 317 and 321 Bedford, and the home at 307 Bedford is stick-built, according to Fines.

To learn more about Habitat for Humanity Northeast Michigan, visit habitatnemi.org, call 989-354-5555, or stop into the Habitat offices and ReStore at 2630 U.S.-23 South, Alpena.

Reach News Community Editor Darby Hinkley at 989-358-5691 or dhinkley@TheAlpenaNews.com.