TriState Habitat for Humanity will soon offer a 20-unit neighborhood along Hester Road for qualified families in Oxford.

TriState Habitat for Humanity, an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, has been working for the past two years to create a subdivision for more affordable housing in Oxford, Executive Director Jean Masthay said.

"The land has recently been purchased and demolition will have to take place before construction can begin," Masthay said. "The cost for simply purchasing and improving the land has estimated to be approximately $600,000. There are many other added costs that will be totaled in later."

For the streets and utilities alone, it will cost somewhere between $300,000 and $350,000, Tristate Habitat chapter member Jim Lipnickey said.

The process will take place in two different phases since the organization is creating two cul-de-sacs with 10 houses each, Masthay said.

"The construction is tentatively set to take place the first week in January 2010," Lipnickey said. "It will take approximately four to five months to complete and we are hoping to be breaking ground on the first house sometime in April."

A number of volunteers will help make this process run smoothly, including many from the Oxford area, Masthay said.

The 20 different residences will provide homes for families that qualify based on the standards set by TriState Habitat for Humanity. A number of these requirements include families who do not have adequate housing and experience problems with their present structure, water, electrical or sewage service systems.

Annual total income will also be considered during this process. If a family does not make between 30 to 60 percent of the median income for this service area, Masthay said they will also be taken into account.

"The subdivision will be named Reckford Woods, after the current CEO of Habitat for Humanity International," Masthay said. "Addresses have not been specifically set due to the fact the area has not been subdivided yet. A designated area has been chosen though on Hester Road."