| | |
| |
Outline of Need:
Rick and Debra Dunbar were living in a run-down rental house with no heating and poor plumbing. They were facing a difficult time in their lives when their daughter handed them a flyer from the Community Housing Improvement Program, Inc. (CHIP) which changed their lives.
How Rural Development Helped:
In August of 2001, Debra Dunbar was diagnosed with a liver ailment and the prognosis was not good. She and her husband Rick were planning to renew their wedding vows on their 20th Anniversary, but with this news, they decided to move the celebration up two years. During their planning sessions for their renewal ceremony their daughter, Jennifer, handed them an application for the self-help housing program that she had picked up. At the time the Dunbars were living in a run down, rental house with no heating and poor plumbing. "Just for Kicks" they said, they filled out the application and submitted it to CHIP. They where about to leave for their honeymoon cruise when they got a phone call from a CHIP representative saying they were approved for a 3-bedroom home. They quickly forgot about the cruise and began making plans for their new home.
Two weeks after they received the "good news" Debra took a bad fall and was in bed for about a year. During this time her husband was responsible for putting in the "sweat equity" hours to build their house and to pay the bills with just his income.
The Results:
Debra and Rick are now living in a brand new 1,151 square foot, 3-bedroom home and helping to raise their grandson. Debra says that although their house was built with blood, sweat, tears and smashed fingers, their opportunity was a gift from up above and they thank the Lord every day for the blessing. Debra is currently taking treatments for her illness and is enjoying their new home.
<< Debra and Rick Dunbar in front of their new home.
(May 2003)
|
