Habitat for Humanity’s newest homeowner

Shellie Barrus and Emily Johnson of Habitat for Humanity watch as Anna May signs papers for her new home. Photo: Habitat for Humanity for Summit and Wasatch Counties

SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah – Anna May and her son are the newest homeowners through Habitat for Humanity of Summit and Wasatch Counties. She signed the closing documents on the home last week, just in time to start 2022 in a new home.

The single-family home in Silver Creek Village is one of the 26 affordable homes Habitat for Humanity will build in the new neighborhood. The three-bedroom, two-story home was featured in the 2021 Park City Area Showcase of Homes, the first affordable home to ever participate.

When Anna May applied during the application window, she had to meet four basic criteria:

1. A need for better housing
2. An ability to pay an affordable mortgage
3. A willingness to partner with Habitat
4. Potential buyers must have worked in the county for roughly a year to purchase any homes designated as affordable in the development.

As a long-time employee at Park City Roasters, she not only met the criteria but her commute will now be shortened from 45 to 10 minutes and help her avoid traffic congestion. Silver Creek Village is in the South Summit School District, and her 14-year-old son will begin in his new school shortly after they move in.

This home will be a huge source of stability for my son, and for me. Paying an affordable mortgage based on my income will relieve a large part of the financial burden I faced with renting. — Anna May

“We are so happy to hand over the keys to the house Anna May worked so hard to make happen,” says Shellie Barrus, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Summit and Wasatch Counties. “Even as she takes ownership, she is still part of the Habitat family.”

Anna May will begin paying her mortgage and homeowner association fees at 30 percent of her income instead of an amount based on the market rate of the house and property.