Flores Family Owns Home

“We are very excited that after 20 years, and 240 payments, the Flores family of San Bernardino now own their home free and clear,” said Dennis Baxter, executive director for the local Habitat for Humanity affiliate. “This is a successful conclusion of a 20-year commitment by this wonderful family.” Regino and Maria Flores put in 500 hours of “sweat equity” on the construction of their home in 1994 and have raised their family in this house. One daughter has already graduated from the University of California, Riverside and is now working on her Master’s Degree at Loma Linda University, while one son is a senior at California State University, San Bernardino, and another is bound for Harvard University with a full-ride scholarship. The youngest daughter is an international baccalaureate student at Cajon High School in San Bernardino. Baxter calls the Flores family a “true Habitat success story, showing that a hand up to a family can result in family members who do become high achievers in life.” This year’s gala will honor the Flores family as well as Habitat volunteers and donors. Mortgages paid to Habitat for Humanity are at zero percent interest for 20 or 30 years. To qualify, a family must be at or below 80 percent of the median income for San Bernardino County. This year’s gala is called “Habitat around the World” to celebrate the many countries and cultures that Habitat for Humanity embraces. Featured at this event will be food from Mexico, Asia, and Italy. Entertainment will include the “Folklores” with the vocal styling of Erin Brinker, and some great surprise auction items from Southern California donors. Habitat for Humanity San Bernardino Area, Inc. will be celebrating a “Mortgage Retirement” at its annual gala, Friday March 28, 2014 at the National Orange Show Events Center from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. Habitat for Humanity has affiliates in 90 countries and 1,500 affiliates in the United States. Habitat for Humanity San Bernardino Area, Inc., the affiliate responsible for the Flores' family's home, was founded in 1992 and has built or rehabilitated homes in San Bernardino, Redlands, Loma Linda, and other cities throughout the Inland Empire.