South Philly Review

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As a four-time Pro Bowl selection, Asante Samuel has provided commendable coverage for the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles. The deft defender displayed a different brand of safekeeping Friday morning, drilling and painting a property on the 1400 block of South Marston Street to aid the first local venture of his Bring It Home Single Moms Foundation.

By early May, Rasheeda Manning, a resident of the 3000 block of Dickinson Street, will come to occupy the house, which is part of a partnership between the foundation and Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia to provide affordable housing to low-income single matriarchs.

“It will be such a thrill to call this mine,” the 32-year-old mother of two said of the 1,150-square-foot, three-bedroom abode. “For a change, I am going to be the landlord.”

While they waited for their esteemed helper, Manning, a West Philadelphia native, and the other participants furthered work that began in March. The former owners’ children donated the quarters to Habitat, which in its 27-year history has built or modified 13 South Philly spots, including an asthma-friendly home on the 2200 block of Latona Street Nov. 12 through the Build Smart, Breathe Easier program.

“We are helping families to make significant investments,” Corinne O’Connell, Habitat’s associate executive director, said. “They will build equity and are more likely to find better jobs and have their children finish school.”

Through an information session toward the end of 2010, Habitat helped potential applicants to learn how they might become the recipients of a zero-interest, 20- to 30-year mortgage averaging $400 per month, O’Connell said as her coworkers and two Eagles cheerleaders more accustomed to wielding pompoms than paint brushes coated the sleep spaces and the bathroom. It asked attendees to prove they could pay for a home, demonstrate a need for housing and be willing to assist in a residence’s transformation by working 350 sweat equity hours. Manning, who cited her current living situation’s financial strain in her application, heard prosperous news in November ’10.

“I loved helping with the demolition,” Manning said, adding she has a mere 10 hours left to her commitment. “Everyone has worked to keep the character of the home. We have come together, like a family.”

Her actual clan consists of 15-year-old Zahfeer, a student at Northeast Philly’s John Hancock School, and 12-year-old Ameerah, a pupil at Eliza B. Kirkbride School, 1501 S. Seventh St.

“They are so excited,” Manning said of her children. “We are so appreciative.”

The proud parent, whose 25-year payments will adhere to Habitat’s mean totals and will fund future projects, had a choice between two properties on the block. An abandoned location, which she did not choose, suffered fire damage last year. The effects delayed work on the adjacent address, but efforts resumed last fall and in earnest last week, with ample wood piles as proof. As with all of Habitat’s 158 homes, O’Connell said, money and materials have come from some public funding sources and companies that have eased the rehabilitation process, which will likely amount to $145,000.

Had Habitat not acted to tend to the other roost, it could have remained among the 40,000 vacant spots that cost the city $20 million annually, according to a Nov. ’10 report by Center City’s Econsult Corp.

“Nobody can afford to keep wasting money,” O’Connell said as hammers produced a pounding symphony of precision.

Habitat is looking out for the green by going green. Abundant insulation, energy-efficient windows and low-flush toilets will help Manning to avoid extraordinary utility bills. She will join the nearly 550 Philadelphians Habitat has helped to escape dilemmas to become homeowners after her home dedication.

“And then we will move in right away,” she said. “We are going to enjoy every second.”

Green took on different significance when Samuel arrived midway through the preparations. The 31-year-old, who entered the NFL in ’03, has established himself as an elite cornerback. His first five seasons included two Super Bowl triumphs with the Patriots, with his expanding profile leading the Birds to sign him to a six-year, $56 million contract in ’08. His four campaigns have yielded 23 interceptions, three Pro Bowl invitations and two All-Pro designations, but on this day, tackling bare walls instead of wide receivers mattered to the professional.

“Athletes got to work outside our sports, too,” he said while donning a Bring It Home Single Moms shirt.

While he has obtained fame for his speedy legs and active arms, Samuel began his foundation with his heart in mind. He grew up in Florida with mother Christine Samuel, whose debts bred frustration.

“We moved from house to house, never had a stable foundation,” Samuel said.