U.S. Navy veteran and family surprised with Clovis Habitat for Humanity home
A U.S. Navy veteran and his family were the surprised recipients of the most recent home build in the Habitat for Humanity Greater Fresno Area home-buying program Wednesday in Clovis.
Roman Delgado, wife Mayra and their four children will be putting in about 500 hours of “sweat equity” to finish work on the 1,400-square-foot home near Fourth Street and Sunnyside Avenue before moving in next year.
The home is one of two being specifically built for veteran families, said Habitat for Humanity Greater Fresno Area interim CEO Ashley Hedemann. Roman Delgado served four years in the Navy.
Qualifying families must go through a thorough evaluation with the selection committee, said Mary Ayala, Habitat for Humanity family services coordinator.
They need to show they have the credit to be approved for a home loan, be able to pay back the mortgage, and put in the hundreds of hours of work to finish their home and help with construction on other Habitat homes, as well.
Delgado and his family arrived at the reveal thinking they were finalists needing to answer a few more questions.
“I was definitely surprised,” Roman Delgado said. “I could have been coming here in my sweats and stuff. I wouldn’t really think that it was a possibility in a million years.”
Delgado said he was ready to put in the work to get the house finished for his family.
“I’m going to put in extra work in to show my appreciation,” he said. “Give me two hammers.”
This story was originally published December 8, 2021 at 5:11 PM.
