Motivated by the success of Venus Avenue, as well as by GMHfH’s expansion from building one house in 2003 to its current rate of four a year, the decision was made to search for a location to establish another Habitat neighborhood. Trayah Drive, a new road created by GMHfH off Barnum Street, was selected for its proximity to Milton’s town center and schools.

Three Five Star energy-rated ranch-style houses are already up and inhabited; the remaining two will be built starting in May and June. The Trayah Drive residents have all worked together in building each others’ houses, contributing to the sense of community while crediting them with some of the 200 hours of sweat equity required of all Habitat homeowners.

Trina Draper and her family, including husband Harvey and three children, moved in to their new house in November; they were the first residents of the neighborhood. Draper says that working together as a community to build the five homes means that even before moving in they had established friendships with their future neighbors.

“We have a good group of neighbors on this street,” says Draper. “Everybody gets along—even the kids.” There are currently eight children, ranging in age from five to fifteen, living on Trayah Drive, with more expected when the final two houses are completed.

The project was underwritten with generous support from the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, Lowe’s, Thrivent, and General Electric. In addition, notes David Mullin, director of Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity, the town of Milton was very helpful.

“We hope to be able to locate more sites in Milton to build more homes in the future,” says Mullin. “We received many more applications and want to help more families realize their dream of owning a simple, decent, and affordable home of their own.”