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Habitat house going up in Newnan
Lee Troutman Homes, Inc., with the help of others, is building the first house of 2003 for Newnan-Coweta Habitat for Humanity. Construction began on Fisher Street in Newnan last week. The home is being built for Jerry and Sharon Williams and their family, who have partnered with Habitat since May of 2002. The Williamses have earned over 300 of their required 400 hours of sweat equity and work on their house has only just begun. They acquired these hours by working on-site in building projects for other families, completing educational programs, making phone calls, folding newsletters and any number of other tasks for the local habitat affiliate. "I have been impressed with the Williams family, they are truly partnering with us toward their dream of a new home," said Habitat executive director Melanie Gross. In addition to Lee Troutman Homes, Inc., Bob Estep is providing supply supervision for the project. Larry Houze, a professional plumber, is installing the plumbing supplies provided by Piedmont Plumbing and Electrical, Inc. All-Weather Heating and Cooling is providing a much more appropriate replacement for the single wall heater the Williams have to heat their entire house now. Also assisting are Marks Electric, Mike Wall Insulation, Cash Drywall, Pollard Construction Disposal, and Scott Thornton,general carpenter. Finishing touches will be provided by trim carpenter Ty Wren, painter David King and landscape contractor Tim Yoeman. "Normally Habitat must raise all the funding, materials and volunteer labor for a house ourselves. What Troutman and the others are doing is truly a gift in many ways," said Gross. Suzanne Pengelly, Newnan-Coweta Habitat for Humanity Board President, agrees. "Lee Troutman and his team of professionals is one of the finest possible examples of community volunteerism. Their spirit of giving creates a positive influence that we hope encourages more businesses to do the same." Habitat already has a family waiting for the next home, which will be constructed once funding, materials and labor have been secured. According to Lee Troutman he and many of the others who are helping are doing it because they've been so blessed in their own lives. "The construction industry has been good in this area for quite awhile. We've been blessed and we want to share those blessings with others. It's just the right thing to do," said Troutman. The Williamses have three young sons: Emmanuel, age 3; Elijah, age 2; and Samuel, age 1. Their current house is basically two rooms and a bathroom. They have a kitchen and the entire family "lives" in the one bedroom. They all sleep in the same bed. A single wall heater heats the entire house, and not very effectively during the recent cold snap. The cold winds were blowing right through the very thin walls and windows. Jerry Williams works two jobs to support his young family. He works full-time at Eckerd Distribution Center in Newnan and also operates a landscaping business, maintaining yards in the city. He is fiscally responsible with an excellent credit record. "It is a pleasure to know the home we are building is going to such a hard working family who can truly flourish with the solid foundation of a new home." Says Troutman with a laugh over the obvious building metaphor, "I just hope the rest of the building and development community will get involved, too" he stated. "There is no reason why anyone in Coweta County should live in sub-standard housing."
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