It\u2019s not every day that a new neighbor has an entire suburban North Long Beach block shut down as they receive their new house keys in front of a crowd of about 50 people. But it\u2019s also not every day that 500 Delta Airlines employees help rebuild a dilapidated house in six weeks (with funds raised from recycling bottles and cans) so that a single mother and her college-aged daughter can finally realize their dream of home ownership.<\/p>\n
{loadposition\u00a0adfloat}The quaint three-bedroom house on Lemon Ave. near South St. that Irma and Vanessa Ulloa received keys for at a November 1 dedication is the second built in Long Beach by Delta’s volunteers under a partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles. The faith-based nonprofit has had a presence in L.A. County since 1990 and seeks to provide needy families with an avenue for homebuying.<\/p>\n
\u201cSixteen years ago, things got tough and we were fortunate enough to have family take us in,\u201d said Irma, a longtime dental assistant, at the streetside dedication. \u201cBut it\u2019s not easy living under someone else\u2019s roof. We wanted to be independent and we are grateful to everyone who helped us be able to afford this house. It\u2019s more than a house\u2014it\u2019s a home. And it\u2019s more than I could have imagined.\u201d<\/p>\n
Habitat for Humanity advocate and 8th District Councilmember Al Austin\u2014as well as representatives from Delta and Habitat for Humanity\u2014were on hand that morning to welcome the Ulloa\u2019s to Long Beach and cut the ribbon on the rehabilitated house, which one neighbor in attendance described as an abandoned former eyesore with a front yard full of tall weeds and a rotting garage that had been inhabited by squatters.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Today, however, that eyesore is now a brand new home with a castle-like front door and fresh hardwood floors throughout. The two-car garage has been entirely rebuilt and the backyard is neatly landscaped, ready for the Ulloa’s planned vegetable garden.<\/p>\n
Irma\u2019s daughter Vanessa, 23, said that she and her mother chose the Long Beach home over others offered to them in Lynwood and South Gate because they knew that any work done on it would be an improvement. She also appreciated the easy access to public transit (Irma\u2019s work at USC is a straight shot up the Blue Line) and the quiet, tree-lined street reminded her of their current home on Los Angeles\u2019 Westside.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was the house in the worst shape of all, but I knew I wanted to be here,\u201d said Vanessa, a photography student currently attending Santa Monica Community College. \u201cWhen we drove down this street, it instantly reminded me of Santa Monica and Venice. I felt comfortable.\u201d<\/p>\n
After living in cramped quarters with other family members for nearly two decades, Irma had all but given up on living independently with her young daughter. But thanks to Habitat\u2019s \u201chand-up not hand out\u201d setup for providing affordable housing\u2014which requires homebuyers to invest 200-500 hours of \u201csweat equity\u201d into the home\u2014the Ulloa ladies were able to make an investment in their future more important than money.<\/p>\n
{loadposition latestnews}They are one of nearly 800 families that Habitat for Humanity of Los Angeles has moved into renovated or new homes and one of six that was prepared for dedication in the last month and a half. More than 250 more homes in cities across the county, including Long Beach, are planned over the next three years.<\/p>\n
Though escrow still needed to close and furniture had yet to be purchased, Vanessa and Irma said on dedication day that they are looking forward to the memories that will be made in their new home this holiday season. But first? \u201cA slumber party,\u201d says Vanessa, smiling.<\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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