July 28, 2021

City’s partnership with local non-profit turns empty lots into new housing for families

The City of Madera and Habitat for Humanity Greater Fresno Area (Habitat) held a joint news conference Wednesday morning to officially hand over the keys of homeownership to Habitat’s first family in the City of Madera.

The home was part of a larger 5-unit housing development at Washington Avenue and Malone Street. The City donated the land and pledged up to $300,000 in down payment assistance, or $60,000 per low-income homebuyer.

During the ceremony, keys were presented to the Vargas family, a family of seven with five children ranging in age from three to twelve years. Melissa Vargas (mother) is an in-home supportive services provider, while Maurillo Vargas (father) works full-time at the Madera Red Rock Disposal Company.

To qualify for the program, families must go through a thorough needs evaluation, qualify for an affordable home loan, and put in at least 500 hours of sweat equity. 

To learn more, please visit Habitat for Humanity – Greater Fresno Area’s homeownership webpage at https://www.habitatfresno.org/ownership.