See Builders Blitz Bios

The blacktop of Celia’s Dream Lane cuts through two small fields of grass and dirt clods. Along one side are future homes that consist of square concrete foundations and thick wooden beams. On both sides of the lane, tiny wooden poles with bright nylon ribbons dot the landscape, marking invisible boundaries. By June, the dirt clods will be covered with flowers and grass, and the tiny poles will no longer be needed as property markers. In just a week’s time, seven houses will replace that small stretch of field and fulfill the dreams of seven Habitat for Humanity families during Habitat‘s 2008 Builders Blitz.

Habitat for Humanity and eight local home builders have collaborated to build seven homes in seven days in North Bryan in Habitat’s Angel’s Gate Subdivision. Over 140 skilled laborers will descend upon Celia’s Dream Lane on May 31 in the culmination of over nine months of planning and organization. Keith Ellis of Ellis Custom Homes and president of the Bryan/College Station Home Builders Association said organizing that amount of workers in such a limited period is not an easy feat.

“Being the HBA president, I know how hard it is to get these guys to come to an hour long meeting, so to see these guys giving a week of their time is amazing,” Ellis said. “I’ve never seen anything else motivate builders to this extent.”

The Builders Blitz is by far the largest event held by Habitat for Humanity during the year. Area workers will join construction crews across the nation as Habitat affiliates in every state kick off their local campaigns. In 2006, BCS Habitat and eight builders created homes for 10 Brazos Valley families; nationally 459 new homes were built in 130 communities. Event coordinators are hoping the 2008 Blitz will continue that success.

Dena Freeman, communications coordinator for BCS Habitat for Humanity, said, “We expect this year’s Builders Blitz will be a success in building 7 homes in partnership with 7 local families in need. The partnership with the local Home Builders Association has been incredibly valuable in launching such a large project.”

Stylecraft Builders, Inc., JKM Classic Homes, Cathey Homes, Oakwood Custom Homes Group, Ltd., Pitcock and Croix, Inc., Ellis Custom Homes, CGM Homebuilders, and Quinn Williams Construction will take part in this year’s blitz, and all but two of the builders are return participants. Ellis said being a part of the Habitat builds are addicting.

“[In 2006] we all came away feeling like we’d done something special for the person and it was just overwhelming for all of us,” Ellis said. The word spread, and this year the HBA has more builders than homes. Two return builders stepped aside to allow the new builders to participate.

Randy French of Stylecraft Homes said, “I think we are very passionate about giving back and not just being on the taking end all the time and helping those that are trying to help their families and themselves and just need a little boost.”

It costs $80,000 to build a Habitat home, half of which is paid for through Habitat home mortgages and donations and the other half of which is provided by a home sponsor. Late last month, two donors had to withdraw their sponsorship until a later date, leaving two Builders Blitz homes without a sponsor and without funds for materials. In an effort to secure funding for the project before construction begins at the end of May, Habitat is reaching out to the Brazos Valley. “Habitat has developed the land, families have been selected and satisfied program requirements, partner builders have agreed to organize construction,” Freeman said. “However, Habitat is in need of funds to cover the cost of materials for the two homes.”

Habitat for Humanity relies on volunteer labor, donations, in-kind giving and management expertise, such as the HBA, to combat poverty housing in the Bryan and College Station area. Individuals, businesses and churches contribute time, materials and money to Habitat projects and fundraisers. The Habitat for Humanity ReStore and a small allotment of government funding contributes to available funds. Through these methods, Habitat is able to offer home ownership to those that cannot afford it.

“The reason BCS Habitat for Humanity is so successful can be attributed to the generosity of the local community,” Freeman said. “Habitat is extremely grateful for the heartfelt individuals in the community that donate, volunteer, and advocate on behalf of local families in need.”

In order to qualify for a home, a Habitat family’s income levels must be 30 to 50 percent of the median income level, have housing conditions that do not meet acceptable standards, show financial ability to meet mortgage, utility and monthly expense payments and have a willingness to partner with the organization. Freeman said each family has invested nearly 500 hours of sweat equity, attended a series of 10 homeowner workshops, paid a down payment and met all program requirements. Future homeowners earn sweat equity by working on Habitat homes, in the Habitat ReStore, or at the Habitat office throughout the year. Before a Habitat family can qualify for a home, 400 hours of sweat equity are required, and then they put an additional 100 hours in the construction of their home. Meeting all requirements qualifies Habitat families for an interest-free, 20 or 30-year non-profit home mortgage. Habitat puts these monthly payments back into the building and construction of other homes.

Over 3000 families live in substandard homes in the Bryan/College Station area. A typical Habitat family lives on an annual income of $27,000, or $1900 a month after taxes. These families spend 60 percent of their income on housing expenses. The Department of Agriculture estimates $445 per month is spent on each child within a family to meet the needs of food, clothing, hygiene, medical insurance, childcare and education, and transportation. The average Habitat family of two adults and two children is left with $1010 per month to take care of expenses related to the cost of living and unexpected expenses that arise. 11,484 children live below the poverty level in the twin cities, according to data from 2005.

Habitat homes are not confined to the bi-annual Builders Blitz. Other events such as the Corporate Challenge, The Circle of Aggie Women, Aggie Habitat, Youth United Collegiate Challenge, and Ecumenical Build are aimed at delivering 20 new 2008 Habitat homes in partnership with local families. Since forming in 1989, BCS Habitat for Humanity has partnered with 143 families, improving the quality of life for 620 people through a new home. As a local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, the local branch is a member of a global ecumenical Christian organization that strives to eliminate poverty home conditions.