Habitat is completely restoring the 1892 farmhouse, which sits adjacent to 32 acres of undeveloped land. The home will have new mechanical systems, including heating, electric and plumbing. The home features a large wrap-around porch, stained glass window, original mahogany staircase, newly restored oak floors, and historic trim and accents that are not often duplicated in modern homes.

The sales price is $125,000. Habitat offers a 25-year, zero per cent mortgage. Applicants must earn between 40-80% of the Area Median Income. (For example, a family of four must earn between $33,960 and $65,000 to qualify).

• 2012 Income Limits Based on HUD Income Guidelines (40-80% AMI)

• 390 Gilbert Avenue Information Flyer–contains a complete description of the property

• Application & information packet (390 Gilbert Avenue) (The packet must be printed out; it cannot be completed online.)

The following must be submitted to the Habitat office no later than 4:00pm on Friday, February 17, 2012. (Applications received after this time will not be accepted. Postmarks will not be considered. Forms and copies will not be returned.)

• Certification & Authorization Form
• Pre-Application Form
• The two most recent pay stubs from each employer for Applicant and Co-Applicant
• Copies of the first two pages of Applicant’s and Co-Applicant’s 1040 Tax Forms for the two most recent years (if you have not yet filed your taxes for 2011, you may submit returns for 2009 and 2010)
• Check or money order for each homebuyer applicant made out to “Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven” for a credit report (bounced checks will result in rejection of the Pre-Application)

Estimated completion date for 390 Gilbert Avenue is late spring.

If you have questions, please call the Habitat office at (203) 785-0794.

Madison Cares will hold its annual “Raise the Roof” event on Saturday, May 12, 2012. The day long event will take place on the Madison Town Green. Last year approximately 400 volunteers helped build walls and garden benches, constructed and painted porch railings, and staffed the event. More than $10,000 was raised for two Habitat homes sponsored by Madison Cares.

This year there will be additional building stations which will give more individuals and groups a chance to participate in constructing framing for a future Habitat home.

Online registration will open on March 2. Details of the event schedule and how groups can register will be posted on the Madison Cares website in late February.

The Bethesda Music Series will hold a fundraising concert to benefit Habitat on Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 4:00pm. The event will be a hymn festival led by the international trio Encore Music Creations. Several local church choirs will participate and the public is invited to come and sing.

The festival will take place at Bethesda Lutheran Church, 450 Whitney Avenue, New Haven. A free-will offering will be taken, and the entire amount will be donated to Habitat. There will be a reception after the event. Parking is free.

For more information, please call (203) 787-2346 or visit www.bethesdanewhaven.org.

Family selection is underway.

(Left to right: Jacqueline James-Evans, Alderwoman, Ward 3; Bill Casey, Habitat Executive Director; Richard D’Aquila, Executive VP & COO, YNHH; Michael Bennick, MD, Associate Chief of Internal Medicine, YNHH; and Barbara Katz, President, Habitat Board of Directors)

Volunteering for Habitat is a uniquely rewarding experience. You will be helping a family in a very direct way, making it possible for them move from substandard, often overly expensive housing to a home of their own.

We have opportunities Tuesday through Saturday for individuals and groups. Please contact Ellen McNally, Habitat Volunteer Coordinator, at emcnally@habitatgnh.org or (203) 785-0794 for more information or visit the Habitat website at www.habitatgnh.org.

Be the change you want to see in the world!

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better.  It’s not.–Dr. Seuss

Members of Madison Cares donated numerous housewarming gifts, including a handmade lap quilt, a complete set of new pots and pans, a tool box and a basket full of housewares that were presented to Shanna by Maureen Lopes. Mike Bruno and Nuno Dos Santos, representing Bank of America which donated $10,000 to the project, offered their congratulations. Bank of America employees came out twice to volunteer on the house.

Read the New Haven Independent article about the dedication here.

Shanna inspects her new quilt