MANCHESTER - In light of the receipt of a $90,000 grant to build three homes on Jennifer Lane in Manchester, Bennington Area Habitat is intensifying its search for candidates for homeownership. It will conduct three searches, spaced throughout the year, each with its own deadline. The deadline for the current search is March 15. All submitted applications will be reviewed as soon as they are received. Families are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, rather than to wait until the deadline.

In December 2012, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston approved 48 applications for funding through its Affordable Housing Program. These grants, totaling more than $14.2 million dollars, will create or preserve more than 1,000 units of needed affordable housing in New England. A grant of $90,000 was made to The Bank of Bennington for use by the Bennington Area Habitat for Humanity affiliate. This generous grant comes with stipulations: it must be used to lower the cost of the next three homes built on Jennifer Lane in Manchester, and these homes must be built in the next two years.

Habitat is seeking families who want to explore the possibility of living in one of these three new, energy-efficient homes. Jennifer Lane is a neighborhood close to places of work and excellent schools.The monthly payment for these homes includes the mortgage, property taxes and insurance, and a homeowner association fee and will be approximately $630-$715. Habitat homes involve a long term financial

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and personal commitment, but offer the benefits of stability and pride of ownership.

All applicants must meet Habitat's four basic requirements: a definite need for better housing, a willingness to work with Habitat as a partner to build their home and to contribute in other ways, residence or employment in Bennington County for at least the past twelve months, and an ability to meet Habitat's financial qualifications, which include minimum and maximum income limits and evidence of the ability to handle the long-term commitments of owning a home.

Interested families are encouraged to contact the Habitat office for information and answers to questions at any time by calling 802-367-1000. Additional information can be found on www.benningtonareahabitat.com.