Contractors started foundation work on April 18 at the three sites, and block work has continued as the Habitat for Humanity homes are built.

“There were three existing houses here,” said Ted Fines, Habitat for Humanity Northeast Michigan executive director. “I was meeting with the City of Alpena, and they mentioned these three properties, because they had condemned them, because they were just falling apart.”

Fines explained that “the State Land Bank in Lansing provided $500,000 to Alpena County Land Bank, which was brand-new, and the purpose of that money is to purchase the properties, do the environmental (studies), and then do the demolition.”

Fines said Habitat for Humanity has worked closely with Alpena Planning, Development, and Zoning Director Montiel Birmingham and the Alpena County Land Bank to acquire the properties.

News Photo by Darby Hinkley Habitat for Humanity Northeast Michigan Executive Director Ted Fines explains the process of constructing three new Habitat homes on Bedford Street in Alpena.

“We have three families here, qualified,” Fines said. “They’re just waiting for us.”

He said the homes should be move-in ready by September or October.

“They have kids that go to school here,” Fines said, pointing down the street to Ella White Elementary School.

He noted that every Habitat for Humanity family or individual goes through the process of getting qualified and purchasing the homes, which they will then pay a mortgage on, just like any other homeowner.

“They’re purchasing the homes,” Fines said. “We’re not giving them homes. It takes time, hard work, and dedication.”

Courtesy Photo In the above photo provided by Ted Fines, Habitat for Humanity Northeast Michigan executive director, foundations for two of three new houses on Bedford Street are seen. Construction continues to progress, and homeowners are lined up to move in.

He added that one of the homes will go to a retired teacher who has never before owned a home.

“They’re building equity,” Fines said. “They’re putting in their sweat equity right now.”

Dave Marchlewski has provided excavating services for the sites, and Bryan DeCare Masonry has overseen construction. Ritz-Craft Corporation out of Jonesville is providing the modular homes for two of the sites, 317 and 321 Bedford, and the home at 307 Bedford will be stick-built, according to Fines.

To learn more about Habitat for Humanity Northeast Michigan, visit habitatnemi.org, call 989-354-5555, or stop into the Habitat offices and ReStore at 2630 U.S.-23 South, Alpena.

Courtesy Photo In the above photo provided by Ted Fines, Habitat for Humanity Northeast Michigan executive director, a vacant home at 321 Bedford St. is seen prior to its demolition to allow for three new Habitat for Humanity homes to be built near Ella White School.

Courtesy Photo In the above photo provided by Ted Fines, Habitat for Humanity Northeast Michigan executive director, a vacant home on Bedford Street is seen prior to its demolition to allow for three new Habitat for Humanity homes to be built near Ella White School.