Living the Dream Mathew Pellegrino 2011-01-14 13:53:43

Living the dream Mathew Pellegrino 2011-01-14 13:53:43

Ruby Shabazz is getting her dream home.

The prior Santa Rosa County resident was recently approved by the Santa Rosa County Habitat for Humanity to move into a Habitat for Humanity home, which happens to be the ninth Dr. Martin Luther King Habitat for Humanity House.

The three bedroom one bath house located at 5355 Alabama Street in downtown Milton will become the home of the newest recipient of the Habitat for Humanity in Milton.

The house will be dedicated to Shabazz on Monday at 11:30 a.m. following the Martin Luther King, Jr. parade down Stewart Street.

Shabazz, who heard the news about the home two weeks ago said she was ecstatic.

“It’s still mind-blowing,” Shabazz said over the phone. “I’ve been having the best days since I found out.”

Shabazz, who has lived in Escambia County most of her life has yet to see the house, but said she could not wait to see it Monday morning. The to-be homeowner said she is not sure if she will have family in attendance, but said that she may have a few of her friends there to watch her get the key to her new home.

The house was assembled by the Dr. Martin Luther King Building on a Dream Team, which was made up of community volunteers and members of the Milton Fire Department, including Milton Fire Chief John Reble.

Shabazz, like most applicants wanted a place to call home according to Carolyn McCray, chairman of the Dr. Martin Luther King Building on a Dream Team.

“This is giving her the dream—to own a home,” McCray said.

The dream became a reality for her when the applicant was approved for the home.

“We started building this in September and completed it at the beginning of this month,” McCray said. Habitat for Humanity home applicants must go through an extensive process to acquire a home, unlike what most people think. Shabazz’s application was approved for the home, which she will live in by herself.

“Most people don’t like things handed to them, so the Habitat for Humanity gives them the opportunity to make payments on a home without the interest,” McCray said.

The best part about the program however, is the impact it makes on the community according to Reble who is expected to present a fire extinguisher to Shabazz when she moves in on Monday.

“These people (recipients) take pride in their homes, and their neighborhood, and you get to see a positive change,” Reble said. “You can really see the difference not just at the home, but at the homes around it.”

This home was Reble’s fourth Habitat for Humanity home he has worked on in Santa Rosa County. He continues to work with Habitat, because he said it continues to better the community.

“The department and I like it because to me, it gives us a chance to do something that has a big impact on the community,” he said. “These folks would not be able to get a home of their own if it wasn’t for this program.

“I’ve been able to see the impact these houses have had on this community over the years.”

The energy efficient homes now come with energy saving light bulbs and so far, every Habitat home that Reble has known of has withstood bad storms and hurricanes.

“That’s their home, their family, their investment,” Reble said. “For them, knowing that makes all the difference.”