Habitat for Humanity / Thrivent Builds

First Day of Volunteer Labor was April 12, 2011

Wall-Raising was April 15, 2011

House Dedication was October 6, 2011

Members and friends of Emmanuel Church and School helped construct another “Lutheran House” along with friends from three other area Lutheran churches.  Both male and female volunteers (18 yrs and up) helped construct the house at the Carney Place site in West Asheville (Haywood Rd. to Virginia Ave. to Brotherton Ave. and into Trellis Court). THANKS to those who helped with construction, prepared lunches and snacks and made financial contributions.

HOMEOWNERS:  THE GHERASIM FAMILY

Gherasim Family

Ion and Nelea Gherasim rented a house that was unaffordable. In addition to expensive rent, they incurred extremely high heating costs ($300+ per month), had an insufficient heat source that made a portion of the house uninhabitable in the winter, and experienced flooding due to lack of drainage.

The family had looked into other housing options and applied for a conventional loan, but were denied due to limited income. The Gherasims were contemplating a return to public housing. They were aware of the crime and unsafe conditions there from a previous stay, and worried about potential problems, but felt they had no choice due to their financial situation.

Then, they decided to apply with Habitat. The family was familiar with Habitat because Nelea has family that purchased a home in Habitat’s Enka Hills subdivision, and Ion has volunteered at the Habitat Home Store. They were overjoyed when they received their acceptance letter.

Ion has worked for Asheville Transit as a Bus Driver for 3 ½ years. Nelea stays home to raise their children. The family looked forward to buying a safe, decent and affordable home in Habitat’s Carney Place neighborhood. Like many Habitat families, their monthly mortgage payment is lower than their rent and they no longer have to worry about the housing issues they used to face.

The Gherasim family is now HOME in a 4BR/ 2BA house of their own thanks to Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and four local Lutheran churches (Abiding Savior, Emmanuel, Nativity and St. Mark’s). The Gherasim’s home was the 2011 Thrivent Builds House.