Payson Roundup | Payson, AZ

After years of waiting, four families will soon move into their very own homes, built by Payson Area Habitat for Humanity volunteers. A ceremony is scheduled this Sunday afternoon to dedicate the homes in Longhorn Village.

Kelly Atkin, Michael and Jacque Pasamonte, Joanna Carroll and Joyce Nuckles have waited years to move their families into a new home.

Crews broke ground at the site, across the street from Payson High School, in late August 2007 and started putting up walls in February.

It took the help of more than 300 volunteers, plus the help of all the family members to complete the four condominiums each costing $175,000. In the coming years, 10 more homes will be built at the same site.

PAHH Vice President Charles Proudfoot said more than 40 families applied for the housing. After an extensive interview process, a committee picked the four families.

All of the families had to demonstrate that they are living in a substandard home, can pay a mortgage and are willing participants.

Pasamonte said that every day he walks on the job site he feels it is a miracle he is getting a home for his two children.

“This is an early Christmas present,” Pasamonte said.

Atkin said she and her 4-year-old daughter are thrilled to be moving into a new home and out of her parents’ house.

“Oh my God, I am jumping out of skin, it is a total miracle,” Atkin said. “This is God’s handiwork.”

The families could start moving into the new homes as early as Dec. 15.

Read more about each of the families in the Friday, Dec. 19 Roundup.