By JOHN THOMPSON
jthompson@thecitizennews.com

By this fall, Senoia's first Habitat for Humanity home could be filled with a family.

That's the report that Craig Taylor gave the Senoia City Council Monday night. Taylor heads the Newnan chapter of the homebuilding organization and said he hopes to start construction on the home in August.

The organization is closing on a lot on Middle Street this week. After the closing, the group will demolish the existing structure and start building either a three- or four-bedroom home, depending on the family size.

Habitat already has nine names of possible occupants for the home and stressed that this is not a “give-away” program.

“The person chosen has to help build the home with `sweat equity.' Then they have a 20-year mortgage to pay,” he said.

The difference is that the loan is a zero-interest loan, but the program is tailored to get families into homes who normally could not qualify for a conventional loan.

Taylor praised resident Suzanne Pengelly, who has played a big part in the group deciding to build a home in Senoia.

The home will probably be around 1,300 square feet and have very little in the way of frills, according to Taylor.

But he is aware the location is near the city's historic district and has asked his architect to add a few touches to help the home fit in better with some of the older homes.

“Keep in mind, though, that every extra $100 we spend on this house is $100 less that we can spend on another home,” he said.

The City Council thanked Taylor for his efforts and asked for regular updates on the home's progress.