By DAVID SEDORE, Palm Beach Business.com Staff

DELRAY BEACH — Dora Shiver and Arnetta Hickman became homeowners Sunday thanks to their own work and the efforts of Habitat for Humanity of South Palm Beach County.

Shiver and Hickman respectively now own the 68th and 69th homes built by Habitat in Boca Raton, Delray Beach and Boynton over the past 16 years.  Representatives of Habitat,  Delray Beach and sponsors Office Depot and Bank of America were on hand to celebrate the day. The homes are at 217 and 223 NW 15th Ave. in Delray Beach.

“I’ve been involved in housing efforts for 10 years,” said Delray City Commissioner Brenda Montague. “What makes me excited about projects like this is I get to make new neighbors.”

Office Depot and Bank of America as full project sponsors each donated $50,000. Office Depot sponsored Shiver’s home.

Mary Wong, president of the Office Depot Foundation, said the Delray Beach-headquartered company got involved in the project as a way to mark its 20th anniversary celebration.

"We're very proud of Habitat and very proud of Dora," Wong said.

For Bank of America, the project was old hat in one way but very new in another. The Charlotte-based bank has been a supporter of Habitat for years, annually donating in the range of $10 million a year.  It was, however, the first time the local bank has gotten involved as a full project sponsor.

“The thing that attracted me is the efficiency of how Habitat does things,” Bank of America Vice President Steve Echols said. “They really work hard. Habitat can bring in a house at half what I’ve seen other agencies in this county spend.

“As a banker, that appealed to me.”

Executive Director Mike Campbell said the two homes are appraised at $220,000 and $250,000, but Habitat had them built for about $70,000 and $88,000 respectively, thanks to donations and discounts of materials and volunteer labor.

Homeowners Shiver and Hickman aren’t getting their homes for free. Both helped build their homes and must contribute “sweat equity” on other Habitat projects. Both must pay interest-free mortgages — Shivers about $70,000, Hickman about $85,000, with the payments going to help fund construction of more homes.

David Sedore may be reached at 561-450-8258, or by email at editor@pbbusiness.com.