Habitat for Humanity completes first house in Leander

On Jan. 12, Habitat for Humanity dedicated the new house on Moon Glow Drive as the organization's first new home in Leander, she said.

For the dedication, new homeowner Belinda Garner opened the house to the community, volunteers and staff from the organization. The house comes with a 20-year interest-free loan, and Garner now lives there with four daughters and her uncle and nephew.

"When God gave me a second chance at life, I packed up my family and moved to Cedar Park," Garner said in a statement. "I'm proud to say God has blessed me with a beautiful family, as well as a great opportunity to meet such great people from the Habitat for Humanity program. Thank you for all you've done."

The Garners' move-in follows a year-long process. With help from land acquisition grants provided by Williamson County, Habitat for Humanity bought three Leander properties in September 2012 and began building in September 2013.

Nine sponsors donated the total of $75,000 needed for the house's construction.

Habitat is seeking donations and sponsorships before June 30 for three additional houses on Moon Glow Drive, Sloan said. Interested donors or sponsors can call Habitat at 512-863-4344 and speak with resource development director Yvonne Lane, she said.

Families can research minimum qualifications at the organization's website, then call the same number and ask for Sloan, she said.

Sloan said the organization spends six to 12 months selecting new homeowners.

"Without the funding either committed or received, we can't make that promise," she said.