Warren County Habitat for Humanity completing its 39th building project while honoring the legacy of local African American stonemasons.
County Historian Jimmy Haley said the building site sits within a traditional African American community established by emancipated slaves following the Civil War. Haley said the property was acquired through a tax return sale and required the purchase of additional land from neighbors to meet modern building codes for a single-family home.
“It gave a little bit of life to an old piece of property with a lot of history connected to it,” Haley said. “But, you know, Habitat has been so beneficial and not only does it return pieces of property back to the tax rolls, but in most cases it’s the first time that, you know, a family has had a permanent roof over their house.”
Haley said the specific location was once home to Sam Leftwich and George Hudgens, two prominent stonemasons who operated a nearby quarry. Haley said Leftwich was born into slavery but became a successful tradesman whose craftsmanship is still visible in the foundation stones of local buildings and railroad piers.
The project also served as an opportunity to recognize long-term leadership within the organization. Haley said the dedication ceremony included a special honor for original board member Diane Stanley, who has been involved since the affiliate’s inception.
“At the dedication we also honored one of our original board members, Diane Stanley, who was there at the very beginning and so she, she has kind of semi-retired from the board because of some health issues,” Haley said. “But she was there very humble and very, you know, very excited about our new, our new house and the new family.”
Haley said the organization faces increasing challenges in securing affordable building lots due to rising real estate prices and competition from outside developers. Haley said the cost to construct a new home has nearly doubled in recent years.
“What used to be a $100,000 house plus the lot is now a $200,000 house plus the lot,” Haley said. “And so we don’t want to, you know, try to put it, make it price prohibitive with most of our recipients because most of them are have limited income and of course they have to qualify with credit history and with enough income to be able to make payments and insurance etc. and taxes.”
The new three-bedroom, two-bath home features an open-concept design and is located near downtown amenities and city parks. Haley said the Barber family, which includes three teenage children, contributed sweat equity hours toward the project as part of the Habitat for Humanity homeownership process.
“I think it’s going to be a good fit for the family who have three teenage children,” Haley said. “So it’s, it’s I think it’s going to be a good thing for them, I do.”
