When Habitat for Humanity came to the Roanoke Valley in the mid-80s, it was largely through the efforts of one person: Olivia B. LaMotte, wife of a local Presbyterian minister.  When a steering committee of concerned citizens first assembled, it met in LaMotte's kitchen.

On January 28, 1986, directors first convened at South Roanoke's First Presbyterian Church and named LaMotte to the top leadership post--an elected, unpaid position that she held over the next five years.  Just 18 months after startup, the all-volunteer Habitat chapter had finished its first house.  

For that first house, out-of-pocket costs were held to $24,000.  A $250 down payment enabled the first Habitat family to realize the dream of home ownership, with an interest free monthly mortgage payment of just $100.

In Habitat's first five years, 14 more homes were built.  Always, demand far exceeded supply.  Then, as now, huge numbers of the working poor lived in substandard homes, paying high rents, trapped in a cycle of poverty.

Raising funds, finding building sites, recruiting building crews and lining up church and corporate sponsors is always a challenge for Habitat affiliates. It is especially hard in a new chapter's early years.  For HFHRV, the start-up was painfully slow.  The first eight homes were built without major sponsorships; only later did individual churches, businesses and industry groups provide significant underwriting funds.

In 1991, Habitat got a new board member and president, Bill Hubard, a former city councilman and prominent insurance company executive.  In his three years as president, and until his passing, Hubard pushed organizational growth.  Amy Moore was hired as a full-time administrative assistant, a strong 24-member board was recruited, and for the first time an active committee structure was formed--one that continues to this day.  More importantly, Habitat committed to a stepped-up construction program, building 9 or 10 new homes a year.

As the "A.A." and then as executive director for seven years, Moore guided Habitat's growth.   Fund-raising was strengthened, and a construction manager was hired to coordinate on-site work.  As Habitat grew, it became apparent that volunteers could not keep up with the demands of scheduling volunteer workdays and building a relationship with our families and construction volunteers.   The board decided if Habitat was to continue growing they must increase the staff.  Jean Darby, who was a long-time Board and Family Selection Committee member, was hired in 1995 as program director.  Jean's intense desire to help others reflects in the job she does and has been a tremendous asset to Habitat. 

One-third of all the homes built in the 1990s were  placed in two neighborhoods: on Kellogg Avenue NW, near Lincoln Terrace Elementary School, and in a two block area west of 10th Street SW, south of Norfolk Avenue.  The latter was named Hubbell-Wyatt Commons, honoring two long-time volunteers, Greeley Wyatt and Wiley Hubbell.

As Habitat  laid plans to build its 100th home in 2000, it hired a full-time executive director, Karen Mason.  In partnership with other community groups, it vowed to eradicate or substantially reduce remaining substandard rental housing, still occupied by more than 1,000 low-income working families.

In its first 15 years, Habitat provided interest-free, quality homes for nearly 400 adults and children.  True to its mission, it was "enhancing the community and the lives of God's families".  Along the way, Habitat lost only four of its homeowners, one from death, one in foreclosure, and two from changed family circumstances.

By the end of 2006, nearly $275,000 was annually being paid on 145 mortgages, providing still another funding source for additional Habitat homes worth $95,000 or more.  Homes were costing an average of $80,000 for two, three, and four-bedroom units, aided in part by government funds now available for construction of utilities and other infrastructure work.

For new homeowners, the Habitat plan now means a $500 down payment and an average monthly mortgage and escrow payment of approximately $400.