Hard work pays off: Jeannette couple enjoys new Habitat for Humanity home

It was a big day for Liz Blazowich and her fiancee Alan Beech.

The Jeannette couple officially took ownership Monday of their new house thanks to Central Westmoreland Habitat for Humanity. And they immediately started moving in while mixed breed dog Luna enjoyed checking out her new place.

“It’s still a shock but really exciting because life got a whole lot easier for me,” Beech said.

“It’s something we’ve been waiting for a very long time as a family and it took a lot of hard work,” Blazowich agreed.

Both said the three-bedroom house with gray walls and white trim and a backyard will help them get out of a small rental unit not far away on Division Street. Local officials, Habitat volunteers and others congratulated the couple Monday after they received a shiny new key and space to grow.

Senior volunteer John Shelapinsky, a retired Westmoreland County Community College professor, said about 500 volunteer hours were put into renovating the house, in addition to the 350 hours of “sweat equity” — time and effort put toward the project — Blazowich and Beech were required to contribute, which is ongoing.

“There was a lot of tireless hours and effort put into this house,” said Courtney Guerrieri, executive director of the local group. “We’re extremely happy for Liz and Alan.”

Low to moderate income partner families who apply to the program are evaluated by a Habitat for Humanity family selection committee based on their willingness to work with volunteers, ability to afford a mortgage and level of need for improved housing in situations such as overcrowding, dilapidated structures and unsafe neighborhoods. The application process can take months until the right-sized option is available.

Households whose income does not exceed 60% of the area median income are eligible, according to Habitat for Humanity.

Helping get Blazowich, Beech and three of six children in their blended family into the renovated home at a cost they can afford has been phenomenal, Guerrieri said.

“It chokes me up a little bit,” she said.

Volunteers have watched the transformation and it was fulfilling to see the house be turned over to the partner family, Shelapinsky said. The house has all new flooring and roof, updated kitchen and bathroom and a fresh coat of paint on the exterior, among other improvements.

Central Westmoreland Habitat for Humanity has connected families to 19 homes in the area, Guerrieri said. The organization is working on renovating another home in Jeannette and new construction in Greensburg. Three empty lots for new construction are available in Grapeville and another renovation will take place in Lowber.

For more details on how to qualify or apply to become a partner family, visit habitat.org/housing-help/apply or call 724-523-0308 or 1-800-422-4828.