Habitat hammers away at poverty housing
Habitat for Humanity International was founded in 1976 in Americas, Ga., to eliminate substandard housing in the world. Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Roslyn have been supporters from the beginning. About 150,000 homes have been built in 54 countries with partner families. The homes built have provided affordable, simple, decent homes for more than 600,000 people throughout the world. Ten percent of all money raised in local affiliates is given to the international organization and is used to build homes in Third World countries.
People of all walks of life work together to build homes in partnership with needy families. People of all faiths or no organized faith are accepted as partner families and volunteers.
Families are selected based on income, current living conditions, willingness to partner with the local affiliate, ability to make mortgage payments, and ability to perform 300 hours of “sweat equity.”
Construction on the local Habitat’s first home began on a donated lot in Emma in November 2000, and was completed and occupied by a single mother and her four children in April 2001.
The second home was built in Glenwood Springs on a donated lot in Cardiff Glen. Construction began in July 2002 and the family moved in a few days before Christmas.
The homes are built with the maximum use of volunteer labor plus donated money and grants as well as donated goods and services. These homes were built with approximately 250 volunteers donating 5,000 hours to construction. Thirty-five local businesses and contractors donated their expertise and materials.
Current needs are affordable, buildable land between Aspen and Rifle, and people to serve on the board and committees who are looking for rewarding work in partnership with needy local families. The Habitat board currently has 12 members representing communities from Basalt to Rifle.
Kay’s column, “Nonprofit Spotlight,” appears every other week. For news tips and inspirations, please call 984-2308 or email vasilaki@rof.net.
Habitat for Humanity of the Roaring Fork Valley
Mission: To eliminate poverty housing
Local affiliation established in 2000
Contact numbers: 963-8555 (office), Ray Limoges 384-0455
Support Local Journalism
Support Local Journalism
Readers around Glenwood Springs and Garfield County make the Post Independent’s work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.
Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.
Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased news coverage.
