There’s no place like home for this Clear Lake family

(Above) Crystal and Ben Gerhardt and their children, Justin, Daniel, Jace and Ava, are excited to be in their new Clear Lake home built through the Habitat for Humanity program.-Reporter photo.

Habitat for Humanity builds fourth home here

Ben and Crystal Gerhardt welcomed friends, family and the community to their new Clear Lake home last week.  In addition to sharing their excitement, they also offered their thanks to all who made the home a reality.

The Gerhardts applied to the Habitat for Humanity program two years ago and began work on their own home about one year ago.

“We’re excited for people to see the house, but even more excited to close on it and begin moving in over the weekend,” said Crystal at Tuesday’s open house.

This was the fourth house built through the Habitat program in Clear Lake and the 48th family to be helped in the area, explained Melissa Schoneberg, executive director.  Families selected for home ownership through Habitat must demonstrate need, commit to providing “sweat equity” for the organization, and be able to make low monthly mortgage payments on time.  After home construction, Habitat essentially becomes the lender for the home, offering repayment of the cost to build the home at zero percent interest over 30 years, Schoneberg explained.  Those payments serve as income for the organization to fund future houses.

The Gerhardts completed a credit counseling course, along with a home repair program to better prepare themselves for home ownership.

Their home at 1505 Logan Drive features four bedrooms, two baths and an open kitchen and family room for the family of six.

“The three boys (six-year-old Jace, eight-year-old Daniel and 13-year-old Justin) have been sharing one bedroom and our daughter has been sharing a bedroom with Ben and I,” said Crystal.  While the boys are excited to spread out, two-