When Habitat for Humanity of Berks County’s executive director handed the keys for a renovated city row home to its new owner Tuesday, the moment marked more than the celebration of one family’s milestone.
It was the culmination of more than a year of hard work put in by a first-time homeowner, said Habitat CEO Timothy J. Daley, and more than two years of rehabilitation work to transform the once-vacant house at 924 Douglass St. into a family home.
“This is a very exciting day,” Daley said, “and it’s a great witness to a life-changing situation.”
The home’s new owner Guadelupe, who asked to be identified by her first name only, will live there with her daughter, Vanessa, 19, and son, Willie, 9.
Before taking ownership, Daley said, Habitat homeowners are required to contribute 200 hours of sweat equity. Those hours can include helping on Habitat projects and volunteering at the organization’s Re-Store in Muhlenberg Township. About 40 to 50 hours are also devoted to financial education, including budgeting and the responsibilities of homeownership, he said.
Guadelupe completed the requirement in just over 13 months, Daley said.
“You’ve earned this,” he told her before handing over the keys.
New homeowner Guadalupe, center, and her children Vanessa, 19, and Willie, 9, attend the dedication of their Habitat for Humanity home in the 900 block of Douglass Street on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. Next to the family is Dr. Khalid Mumin, Reading School superintendent, and Timothy J. Daley, Habitat executive director. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Before Habitat became involved, Daley said, the house was vacant and in disrepair.
“It was one more building contributing to the decline of the neighborhood,” he said.
Habitat purchased the property along with two others nearby after a conversation with Dr. Khalid Mumin, Reading School District superintendent. Mumin challenged the organization to strengthen home ownership in the neighborhood surrounding the district’s then-planned and now soon-to-open Innovation Academy, 801 N. Ninth St.
The organization then partnered in 2023 with the Reading-Muhlenberg Career and Technology Center to renovate the house.
Daley called the student involvement the project’s secret sauce.
Students spent more than two years working alongside Habitat’s construction team and volunteers. Their work included remodeling the kitchen and bathroom, installing energy-efficient windows, replacing the boiler and completing numerous other repairs.
“Those students did not just learn construction skills,” Daley said. “They learned something even more important. They learned civic responsibility.”
Dr. Khalid Mumin, Reading School District superintendent, says the dedication of a Habitat for Humanity home in the 900 block of Douglass Street on Tuesday will help students of the soon-to-open Innovation Academy, in the background, understand the possibilities available in their own city. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Mumin, who also serves on Habitat’s board, said the home carries symbolic value beyond the family who will live there.
“This is much more than simply having a resident move into a Habitat for Humanity house,” he said. “This is that opportunity where you are a forerunner for us.”
With the new school nearby, Mumin said students will be able to see the home they helped renovate and understand the possibilities available in their own city.
“Affordable housing opens the doors to so many things,” he said. “It’s much more than a home. It’s about financial literacy, it’s about having stability.”
Local officials and community leaders also attended the dedication, including City Council President Donna Reed and Councilman Jaime Baez Jr., who spoke on behalf of Councilwoman Melissa Ventura. Ventura represents District 3, which includes the renovated home.
Baez congratulated Guadelupe in Spanish, thanking her for the work she invested in the project and for making Reading her home.
Reed presented her with a traditional trio of gifts often used in housewarmings.
Gift cards were presented by local partners and sponsors, including Redner’s Markets, Customers Bank, Visions Federal Credit Union and Habitat’s Re-Store.
Habitat Executive Director Timothy J. Daley says the dedication of a Habitat home in the 900 block of Douglass Street represents what can happen when organizations, schools, volunteers and residents work together. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Crystal Gilmore-Harris, representing state Sen. Judy Schwank’s office, also presented a selection of decorative and useful housewarming gifts on behalf of the senator’s office.
Gilmore-Harris also praised the collaboration that made the project possible.
“We are very proud of you, and we look forward to watching this community grow,” she said.
Near the end of the ceremony, the homeowner’s daughter spoke briefly on behalf of her family.
“Thank you, everybody, for making our wishes come true,” she said. “We’re very grateful for everything that everybody has contributed.”
The home, Daley said, represents what can happen when organizations, schools, volunteers and residents work together.
“It stands as a monument to what people can accomplish when they work together for the good of their community,” he said.
But he urged those gathered not to see the project as an endpoint.
“Can we agree that this work creating stable housing is important?” he asked the crowd.
If the answer is yes, Daley said, the work must continue.
“Then I look forward to seeing all of you again tomorrow,” he said.