Naomi DiMartini of South Whidbey has two big reasons to celebrate the new year. One is the December birth of her second daughter, Jasmine, and the other is becoming the proud owner of a brand new Habitat for Humanity home.

On Whidbey Island there have been 12 houses completed since 1998 when Habitat for Humanity was set up in Island County. The South End chapter, which has about 100 volunteers, recently completed the house on Vesel Court in Freeland.

A dedication ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. today, followed by a coffee and cake celebration at

St. Augustine’s-in-the-Woods on Honeymoon Bay Road.

The Habitat homes are built by volunteers and the sweat equity of the partner family who must go through a thorough screening process before being selected as a homeowner.

The partner family for the newly built Freeland home is DiMartini, her daughters Celeste and Jasmine.

Many people and businesses donate time and materials to the Habitat cause. Some of the local donors who made a substantial difference to the project are Cascade Lumber, Trinity Lutheran Church, Lumbermen’s, Lanoga Corp, St. Augustine’s, Nichols Brothers, Storables of Lynnwood, Washington Cedar Products, Target Rentals, Aqua Flo Gutters and Dunbar Doors.

Additionally, there are countless others who contributed in many other ways that are invaluable to the organization.

Donations such as these are what keeps the cost of building the houses low enough to create viable affordable housing in the community and make a difference in the lives of working families.

According to Barb Enberg, a South End chapter organizer, Whidbey Island has a great track record so far.

“I think this community can be proud of itself,” she said.

But, Enberg added, movement toward new Habitat projects has slowed because of the lack of affordable land on the South End. The organization is restricted to land that is percable and within a certain price range.

So far, the South Whidbey chapter has been fortunate, receiving good deals from private individuals, said Enberg. But the reality is there is not much available land left on the island that Habitat for Humanity can afford.

Habitat accepts donations of bequeathed land and all donations are tax credited.

Habitat for Humanity has grown from its humble beginnings.

In September 1976, Millard and Linda Fuller called together a group of supporters to discuss the future of their dream, a workable housing ministry. Habitat for Humanity International was born, and faith, hard work and direction set HFHI on its successful course.

In 1984, former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn took their first Habitat work trip, the Jimmy Carter Work Project, to New York City. Their personal involvement in Habitat’s ministry brought the organization national visibility and sparked interest in Habitat’s work across the nation. HFHI experienced a dramatic increase in the number of new affiliates around the country.

Through the work of Habitat, thousands of low-income families have found new hope in the form of affordable housing. Churches, community groups and others have joined together to successfully tackle a significant social problem – decent housing for all. Working in partnership with low-income families to build decent homes they can afford to buy, Habitat helps to break the cycle of poverty and hopelessness.

By the end of 2005, more than 1 million people worldwide were set up in approximately 200,000 decent, affordable Habitat for Humanity houses.

Patricia Duff can be reached at 221-5300 or pduff@southwhidbeyrecord.com.

How to apply

Have you ever dreamed of owning your own home?

If you are a low-income family and you live in housing that doesn’t meet the needs of your family, or if you pay over half your income for housing, you may be an eligible candidate. Families that are willing to let Habitat for Humanity work in tandem with them, could build and own their own home.

Contact HFHI to put your name on the announcement roster. That will put you on the list to receive notice of the next date for the information meeting that all applicants must attend. You may also look for the announcement in The Record and other local publications.

For more information call Habitat for Humanity of Island County 360-679-9444.