For Laura Thorton, an affordable mortgage and zero down payment means that she will be able to continue giving her 8-year-old son Joshua the care that he so desperately needs to survive.
Add to that ADA compliance for her new home being built, and her family can finally have the life they’ve longed for thanks to the support of Habit for Humanity of Fannin and Gilmer Counties.
Escaping the high COVID-19 rates in Cobb County, Georgia, last year as a result of her son’s delicate condition, Laura Thorton and her son made a new home in Blue Ridge.
“Fannin County (schools) has gone above and beyond,” Laura Thorton said, comparing the school system here versus in Cobb County. “They always fight to get him what he needs. I just know this is where we’re supposed to be.”
Joshua Thorton is a hospital homebound student, so teachers come to him to perform their lessons.
“He’s got multiple disabilities,” Laura Thorton said. “He’s this little genius trapped inside this body that doesn’t want to cooperate, and he recently had to get a trach placed, so we’re dealing with some new challenges.”
Given his conditions, the two regularly frequent the children’s hospital in Atlanta.
“I’ve been working on my credit and trying to save money to try and get a home built for me and Joshua, and given his disabilities, I knew it was going to be challenging because all of the certain requirements that he needs.”
With those requirements in mind, Habitat is building their first-ever ADA compliant home with the help of architect Molly Ford that will include a ramp onto the porch with French doors instead of the standard sliding glass doors.
A walk-in shower and even a generator to power the entire house will be installed to best prevent power outages that could be detrimental for Joshua Thorton. The generator unit itself costs $4,000, Hall said.
“We don’t do customized homes, but in this case, we had to customize a few things,” Christopher Hall, HFHFG executive director, said. “I’m really proud of our committee.”
The cherry on top, however, is the fact that their new neighbor happens to be a Registered Nurse.
Laura Thorton explained that she had pursued one of the United States Department of Agriculture loans, but was informed by a couple of lenders that the remainder of loans were reserved for veterans.
“You know, who’s going to argue with that?” she said.
Another issue that presented itself while trying to buy a home is the current real estate market.
“In this market, it’s just not conducive,” she said. “Because it’s a seller’s market, you know, once you get a house or say you put in an offer, there’s these bid wars going on, and then next thing you know you’re like way out of your league.”
Coming from a background in corporate event planning, Laura Thorton now works in a restaurant in Blairsville, Georgia, and was given information about the HFHFG program by one of her regular customers.
When considering Laura Thorton’s application against the other 15 or so, Hall said the decision came down to the amount of her income that was going to housing costs, which accounts for 47% of her income.
“That need is what separates a lot of our partner families that we end up going with,” he said.
In addition to individual needs, applicants also must pass credit, national sex offender registry and national criminal background checks.
“We’re going to be able to create a better quality of life for Joshua,” Laura Thorton said of being selected. “There’s not words. Part of me keeps waiting for the rug to get pulled out. ... Part of me keeps me from getting too excited about it.”
Despite those feelings, she added, “It’s beautiful to see God’s hand in this, you know, we don’t always see him working, but he’s working. ... To God be the glory.”
Laura and Joshua Thorton’s home is expected to be completed by the coming spring season.
Anyone interested in helping, either physically or monetarily, may contact Hall at 706-455-6603.