New habitats for thankful families

Deirdre Newman

For the last two years, the Findlay family of five has been living in

one room at their relatives’ house. Soon, they will move into a brand

new, two-story, Westside house that they helped build.

Their excitement on Thursday was palpable as their house and five

other homes that Habitat for Humanity built on Pomona Street were

dedicated. The organization builds homes for low-income families and

usually requires the recipients to work on the construction.

“I’m glad because I get my own room,” said Justice Findlay, 10,

who has been sharing a room with her 6-year-old sister, Gabriella.

The dedication had the feel of a revival as “Oh, yeah!” frequently

erupted from the audience of home recipients, volunteers and donors

-- all expressing elation at the completion of the new houses. The

families won’t be moving in until next month, since there’s still

some work that needs to be done on some of the houses, said the

girls’ mother, Caroline Findlay.

In January 2002, the City Council approved the conversion of six

apartments at 1925 Pomona into condominiums. The two-story houses

range from 972 square feet to 2,027 square feet.

The homes represent the potential of the future of the Westside,

Councilman Mike Scheafer said.

“This part of Costa Mesa is going through some enormous

transitions, and I think these homes will showcase what can be done,”

Scheafer said.

Building homes in the county takes a lot of financial wherewithal,

Habitat Director Pete Major said.

“The median price is more than half a million, which only 18% can

afford, so it takes a lot of money and vision to have a day like

today and dedicate homes,” Major said.

The project evoked criticism from some residents, who were upset

that the city provided the land at a cheap price to Habitat for

Humanity and no Costa Mesa residents were selected to move into the

houses. But Habitat for Humanity cannot discriminate against others

by choosing only Costa Mesa residents, Major said in October.

“Despite some criticism this project has gotten, I know this is an

integral part of Costa Mesa and does so much for people,” Scheafer

said.

Walter Bernard and his family will be moving into another one of

the homes. During the dedication ceremony, tears welled up in

Bernard’s eyes as he thanked those who helped build his house.

“I’m thankful for so many people like the volunteers and crew

leaders being mentors for our son,” he said.

After the ceremony, Bernard’s 5-year-old son Elisha exulted in

having room to run between the houses.

“I can run very fast because there’s more room,” Elisha said.

Bernard’s wife, Kari, marveled at the fact that the bedroom closet

comes equipped with a full-length mirror.

The houses are a testament to not just the effort, but to the

skill of the volunteers, Major said.

“When you step back and look at them, you say, ‘Volunteers built

this?’” Major said. “I think everyone expects less from Habitat

volunteers, and we do more. The only thing that holds us back is

money, so we can put volunteers to work.”