GLVAR, Habitat for Humanity help local woman realize the American dream

Most homeowners are lucky to have a few friends and family on hand when they move into a new house.

When first-time homeowner Marian Galinato received the keys to her new house in Henderson recently, she had a welcoming party she’ll never forget. Participants in the occasion included Henderson Mayor Andy Hafen, volunteers and leaders from Habitat for Humanity Las Vegas, and the Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors.

GLVAR President Scott Beaudry had the honor of presenting Galinato with the keys to her hard-earned new home before a large group of friends, local dignitaries and well-wishers helped her cut the ceremonial red ribbon, welcoming the local hotel worker into the home she had a hand in building.

“Realtors are all about community,” Beaudry said. “To be able to help someone like Marian realize the American dream of homeownership is really rewarding and an amazing opportunity to contribute to our community.”

Galinato thanked everyone who helped her build her Habitat home and expressed gratitude for their support.

The GLVAR contributed to the project in February when it donated $100,000 to Habitat for Humanity Las Vegas to sponsor construction of the home on Ward Drive that Galinato began occupying in late September. GLVAR’s donation purchased the building materials, and Habitat and hundreds of volunteers supplied the muscle and construction expertise.

During the six-month construction of the one-story, three-bedroom house, dozens of GLVAR members volunteered a combined total of more than 250 hours, from hammering nails and framing walls, painting, landscaping and more. It’s the 13th Habitat for Humanity home GLVAR has supported over the years.

“It is also the 107th home the organization has built in Southern Nevada,” said Meg Delor, executive director of Habitat for Humanity Las Vegas. She said it wouldn’t be possible without support from volunteers, companies and organizations like GLVAR.

“Our corporate partners are integral to the success of fulfilling Habitat Las Vegas’ mission, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to join forces with GLVAR,” Delor said. “By working together with our community supporters, neighborhoods become safer and resilient. This, in turn, secures a healthier future for our families.”

To qualify for Habitat’s homeownership program, Delor said working homeowners like Galinato must meet income requirements and perform 300 hours of volunteer “sweat equity” building other Habitat homes, including the one they eventually own. She said Habitat homeowners then pay for their home through a no-interest mortgage underwritten by Habitat. “That’s how we’re able to make it affordable for them,” Delor said.

Galinato’s home was the latest addition to a neighborhood that already included six single-family homes developed by Habitat Las Vegas on Merze Avenue and Ward Drive as part of its community revitalization efforts in Henderson’s Pittman area near Boulder Highway and Sunset Road.

Since it was established in Clark County in 1991, Habitat for Humanity Las Vegas has provided simple, decent and affordable homes for low-income families, in addition to helping transform and strengthen communities throughout Southern Nevada. The not-for-profit organization utilizes volunteer labor, and donated time, materials and funds. Each home is sold at no profit to the organization and with a zero-interest mortgage to local working families who otherwise might live in substandard housing. For more information, visit lasvegashabitat.org.

GLVAR was founded in 1947 and provides its nearly 13,000 local members with education, training and political representation. The local representative of the National Association of Realtors, GLVAR is the largest professional organization in Southern Nevada. Each GLVAR member receives the highest level of professional training and must abide by a strict code of ethics. For more information, visit LasVegasRealtor.com. Email your real estate questions to communications@glvar.org.