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BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — The Birmingham area chapter of Habitat for Humanity is gearing up to respond to the tornadoes that hit the area April 27.

The nonprofit group that provides affordable homes for people who otherwise might not have the resources to buy is dealing with damage to the homes that Habitat had previously built in North Smithfield as well as gearing up for applications from others hit by the storm.

“We will expedite our qualified applicants coming to us from storms,” said spokeswoman Beth Jerome. “We have 10 or more homes to rebuild this summer among our Habitat community who have asked us to rebuild their homes, in addition to 15 or so who sustained damage from the tornadoes. That’s just among our current homeowners in North Smithfield.

“I anticipate we will build dozens more over the next several months for applicants from the storms. We will need hundreds of volunteers over many weeks to come once everything begins, which will be very soon,” she said.

Jerome said Habitat had contacted FEMA, Red Cross and Salvation Army to refer storm survivors who could benefit from the Habitat program.

Prospective homeowners are evaluated using three criteria: Their need for housing, their willingness to invest their time and effort in the building process and their ability to repay a zero percent interest mortgage.

Habitat is holding three homeowner application workshops across the area. The workshops are open to all those who want to apply, but Habitat asks that applicants not bring food, drinks or children to the workshop.

Workshops will be held on Birmingham’s Southside, Tuesday, May 24, at 5:45 p.m. at Highlands United Methodist Church; in Fairfield on Monday, May 30, at 5:45 p.m. at Harvest Church; and in Alabaster on Tuesday, May 31, at 5:45 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of Alabaster.

Join the conversation by clicking to comment or email Spencer at tspencer@bhamnews.com.

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