Erin Eastman is a homeowner today.

Even though she holds down two jobs – one at a local bank and one waiting tables at the Eagles Club in Warren – she would not have been able to afford to own a home if it wasn’t for Habitat for Humanity of Warren County.

When Habitat was working on its sixth local project at Carbon Place in 2013, the family they had selected to work there and own the house was not able to complete the work required. Eastman applied for consideration and was thrilled to be chosen.

A single parent at the time, Eastman and her son, Eli, had been living in public housing. Trying desperately to improve their standard of living, Eastman went back to school and earned an associate’s degree at Jamestown Business College. When she finished, she earned her job at the bank. Because of her increased income, the cost of public housing (which is income based) went up. She and Eli were forced to move in with her grandmother, she explained.

After they were selected for the new house, they dove into the work. Eastman did a lot of work on the house like priming and painting. She learned some new skills in drywall and electrical work. The house at Carbon Place was a new construction, a Habitat “kit” that came in pieces.

Eastman was very proud to be selected.

“I wanted a place of my own,” she said.

And, Habitat was happy to help.

Eastman “has been a homeowner who has completed everything that we require as an organization,” said Rocco DelPrince, Habitat’s public relations chairperson, “and she has been willing to work with us through all circumstances, making her an excellent homeowner.”

“We are proud, as an organization, to provide opportunities to those who wouldn’t qualify for conventional mortgages,” DelPrince added. “Erin and all of our homeowners have worked very hard by completing community service hours and attending home ownership education sessions. They do whatever it takes to make their mortgage payments. As a result of that hard work, they have a place they can call their own.”

According to DelPrince, Habitat’s public relations chairperson, families are chosen for houses based on several criteria. Habitat for Humanity of Warren County follows Habitat for Humanity International’s standard of choosing families who are earning between 25 and 60 percent of the area’s median income. The chosen buyer must participate in the construction of the home or in other significant and approved ways with the organization. In Warren County, families must work a minimum of 200 hours – they call this sweat equity. At least 100 hours must be completed by the potential homeowner, and the other 100 can be completed by friends and family.

Eastman’s work was completed in volunteer hours for Habitat too, setting up chairs at the Warren County Fair, not just at the house.

“You do not have to have a perfect credit record to apply for a Habitat house, however you do have to show a history of paying your bills,” DelPrince explained. “The application will ask for personal references, verification of employment and income, and a landlord reference. A credit check will be completed, and for those who qualify, a home visit will be made.”

Eastman also had to take classes in budgeting, fire safety and “repurposing” to make ends meet, she said.

DelPrince said Habitat was pleased to choose Eastman because “she was willing to put in the hours on the house on a timely basis,” he said. “People who are willing to work hard are given an opportunity to own a home” through Humanity. “They earn what they have.”

Habitat home owners still have a mortgage. The house is just built at a reasonable price because of volunteer labor.

The average mortgage on a Habitat house – which is the responsibility of the new homeowner – is, on average, $60,000.

Habitat’s next project is a home in Clarendon. They are participating in WarrenGives on May 13 to raise money for the construction. The local group has traditionally built a new house every few years, but they would like to speed up that process, DelPrince said. Contributions to the group on May 13 will help do that.

For more information on how to apply for a Habitat house, call the local office at 706-9956.

habitatwarrenpa.org.