FRANKLIN W.Va. - Winter in Pendleton County is long and harsh, but this season was especially brutal for Charity Malcolm and her two children, 17-year-old CJ and 12-year-old Rebecca. They were used to cold wind blowing right through the doors and windows of their old manufactured home, but their situation became so desperate this year that the entire family was forced into one room just to stay warm.

It was during one of those long, cold winter nights, huddled with her family by a space heater, that Charity decided she had enough. She contacted Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity for help. Her next winter will be spent in the warm and cozy confines of her new home at River Bend Gardens.

“I wanted better for my children than what we had,” Charity said during an open house on Monday. Flanked by Charity and CJ, she recounted the agonizing conditions of her current resident.. Oftentimes, prayer was the only refuge she and her family had. She said on Monday that someone was listening.

“Thank God for the workers and the volunteers,” she said. “He has answered our prayers.”

A number of groups came together to help the Malcolms, along with a number of other families and individuals, including the West Virginia Housing Development Fund, which contributed more $417,00 to be utilized by Habitat for Humanity. The Fund will also purchase the loan through its LAMP program, which will allow additional families to participate in the program.

“We’re so happy for Charity, CJ and Rebecca,” stated Joe Hatfield, Executive Director for the West Virginia Housing Development Fund. “They showed tremendous courage to better their life, and we’re honored to be part of that transformation. They truly exemplify the Fund’s mission and we know their new home will provide them with warm, comfort and wonderful memories for years to come.”

John Connor, Development Director for Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity, said the River Bend project was a comprehensive endeavor and was rooted in the combined efforts of both public and private entities. “We’ve been able to create fresh opportunities for affordable housing using a community building model that works,” Connor stated. Connor also noted that they are still raising funds for the remaining structures and anyone interested in participating. He can be reached at (304) 358-7642 or on the Web at www.almostheavenhabitat.org.

The unit, which is located in the River Bend Gardens housing development, is expected to be complete in June. At that time, six families will move into the Mansion-style townhomes. Recalling the grandeur and charm of a bygone era, the five buildings are comprised of three separate residences. One floor plan, known as The Arbor, is designed to suit individuals or families with disabilities or households with older family members. The Terrace design is suited for larger or growing families or families with multiple children.

The West Virginia Housing Development Fund is a public body corporate and governmental instrumentality of the State of West Virginia established to increase the supply of residential housing for persons and families of low- and moderate-income, and to provide construction and permanent mortgage financing to public and private sponsors of such housing. To date, the Housing Development Fund has sold over $3 billion in tax-exempt bonds to finance more than 100,000 housing units since it began operation in 1968. No tax dollars were utilized to provide this information.

The West Virginia Housing Development Fund is an Equal Housing Opportunity Lender.