Habitat for Humanity Helps Abbeville Family with a 'Hand Up, not a Hand Out'

Bessie and Eddie Cochran knew full well the 500 hours of required “sweat equity” they had to fulfill by helping build other Habitat homes before construction would begin on their home in Abbeville. The Cochrans made the work a family affair, completed 800 hours, and continue to assist their local affiliate, Wiregrass Habitat for Humanity

The Cochrans’ HFH mortgage was purchased by AHFA as part of its Habitat for Humanity Loan Purchase Program. This process allows the HFH affiliates to receive loan amounts up front in a lump sum while AHFA receives the monthly payments from the affiliates for the life of the loan. The affiliates then use the up-front funds to build more housing for low-income families.

Linda Ward, Homeowner Services Director with WHFH says, “Serving families like this one, who need a hand up, but are not asking for a hand out and who consistently demonstrate attitudes of cooperation and gratefulness, is certainly the most rewarding part, for me, of working with the Habitat for Humanity housing mission.”