by Melissa Brown

The yellow, faint dining room light shines into the dim family room where the TV blasts an action movie. Red and white lace curtains cover the window.

Dinner preparations have been noticeably interrupted as the family crowds onto the couch, anxious to share their enthusiasm for being chosen as the OBA’s Habitat for Humanity family.

Sharie Northington and her two children, eight-year-old Davion and five-year-old Aubrey, have been selected as the Habitat family for the Jim F. Gassaway Justice House, which will be built this fall in Spencer.

Sharie, an Oklahoma City native who works full time and takes night courses at OSU-OKC, said she feels her excitement growing daily, knowing that she will soon become a homeowner in November.

“It’s been a long process, but it’s totally worth it,” she said.

Sharie said she first heard about Habitat for Humanity on the radio. She explained that she always dreamed of owning her own home but figured it was out of reach.

“I was looking at other people getting houses, and their mortgages were so expensive,” Sharie said. “With Habitat, I can do this. It is a blessing.”

Sharie applied for a Habitat house in July 2004. She provided an income statement and allowed Habitat volunteers into her current home to survey her living situation. After board approval, Sharie came home one January evening and heard the voice message she had been waiting for – her family had been approved.

“Aubrey and I did a little dance, we were so happy,” Sharie said.

Habitat families aren’t just given a house, though; they must contribute at least 300 hours of “sweat equity” by helping build other Habitat houses.

Sharie groaned lightheartedly at the mention of her sweat equity hours.

“I’m getting there,” she said, adding that family members and friends have volunteered their time to contribute to her 300-hour goal. The Northingtons will also help with their own home’s construction.

Upon completion of construction of the Justice House and the family's sweat equity hours, the property will be deeded to the Northingtons under a zero-interest mortgage note. The term of the mortgage is determined by the house payment, which is set based on income. Each Habitat family’s house payment is initially set at 20 percent of their gross monthly household income at the time of closing. The average house payment is about $375 to $400 per month, which includes three escrow deductions for property taxes, homeowners insurance, and home maintenance. All Habitat homeowners’ payments (principal) go to fund construction of more Habitat homes.

Sharie said she is impressed that bar members will be funding and building her house.

“Lawyers are there to help you. They already work so hard. So it’s great that they’re out there helping build,” she said.

OBA President Mike Evans said he encourages OBA members to make a donation of funding or volunteer time to the Justice House.

“As lawyers, we are called upon to help others when they are in need,” Mr. Evans said. “This is a perfect example of how we can directly impact the lives of a deserving family. I can’t think of a better way to help our fellow Oklahomans.”

Ann Felton, chairman and CEO of Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity, stressed how important it is for bar members to contribute to the Northingtons’ Habitat home.

“One in five households in the Oklahoma City area is low-income. More than half of those are very low-income. No matter how hard they work, the majority of these families will not be able to achieve home ownership – ever– without the opportunity offered by Central Oklahoma Habitat and all of its supporters,” Ms. Felton said.

The Northington family is similar to many Oklahoma families: most of their family time is centered around the kids’ after-school activities. Davion enjoys playing football and baseball, while Aubrey participates in cheerleading, ballet and t-ball. Both kids enjoy listening to music.

“I like Mariah Carey, the Ying Yang Twins and Ludacris,” Aubrey said.

When asked what they will enjoy the most after moving into their new house, Davion mentioned the park that will be in the neighborhood.

“We’ll get to walk to the park. I like going to the park,” Aubrey said.

The concrete foundation of the Justice House has already been poured, and Sharie said she has driven out to see it numerous times.

“I’ve taken friends out there just to look at the foundation, and they don’t understand. All they see is an empty lot. But I get excited every time I go out there,” Sharie said. “When they start building the rest of it, I’ll be out there every day to check it out.”

Other small steps toward moving in are also being completed. Just recently, Sharie picked out the home’s flooring, countertops and paint color. The house’s exterior will be white with gray trim and burgundy shutters.

Sharie said she constantly tells everyone the date that she’s been anticipating for months – Nov. 2. On that day, the Justice House will be dedicated, and the family will have their home.

“They’ll give me the keys, a Bible and bless the house,” Sharie said. “It will be a very emotional day.”

Later that month, the family’s Thanksgiving dinner will be held at the new house.

“We’ll have a lot to be thankful for this year,” Sharie said. “Even now, I can’t stop saying thank you.”