Tag Archives: Construction

Habitat for Humanity is the sixth largest U.S. homebuilder for the second year

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Volunteers building the first Habitat home in Barnesville, MN.

Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity built 5 homes in 2011, helping its national organization to rank as the sixth largest builder in the U.S., according to an annual survey completed by BUILDER magazine.

“I’m proud our organization contributed to this milestone locally by building 5 homes in partnership with low-income families in 2011,” said Rob Rich, Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity Executive Director.  “The number of homes built by Habitat affiliates across the country is a testament to the need for affordable housing opportunities in the US.”

The 5 new Habitat homeowner families at one of the homes completed in 2011.

BUILDER, a publication for the residential construction industry, annually compiles data from U.S. builders and ranks them by the number of closings. Habitat built or rehabilitated 4,970 homes across the United States and is the only non-publicly traded company in the top ten ranking. The organization made an additional 2,795 house repairs to existing homes, which were not accounted for in the survey.

“I’m very proud of the work of our more than 1,500 affiliates in the U.S.,” said Jonathan Reckford, Habitat for Humanity International CEO. “The fact that they are continuing to build and rehab homes in these difficult economic times is a testament to their resourcefulness and their commitment to families, affordable housing and the communities they serve. We are grateful to our donors and volunteers whose generosity makes this work possible.”

Habitat ranked sixth on the list last year and first made the top 10 in 2010 as the eighth largest builder.

This year, Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity is building 2 homes in Fargo. Construction is scheduled to begin in June on a single family home sponsored by the Home Builders Association of Fargo Moorhead’s Home Builders Care Foundation. This is the first time the organization will serve as the primary sponsor of a Habitat for Humanity home. Construction on the second home of the season is scheduled to begin in August. The single family home is sponsored by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. This will mark the 12th home built by Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity as part of the Thrivent Builds program.

Calling All Women: Join Habitat for National Women Build Week

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Women volunteers will raise their hammers at Habitat for Humanity construction sites across the country in recognition of National Women Build Week, May 5-13. The event is a nationwide initiative of Habitat’s Women Build program developed in partnership with Lowe’s.

Now in its fifth year, National Women Build Week challenges women to devote at least one day to creating simple, decent and affordable housing in their local communities. Nearly 31,000 women volunteers from all 50 states have participated in the previous four events.

LAHFH Women Build volunteers

Volunteers flex their muscles at LAHFH’s 2011 Women Build site.

This year’s theme, “The Build Generation,” reflects the event’s goal to recruit and train women volunteers, as well as welcome the next generation of Habitat Women Builders – young women, ages 18-24 – to help support Habitat’s mission to create affordable housing. Lowe’s and Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity are looking for women to volunteer at a Fargo Habitat construction site on Thursday, May 10th. Construction or home improvement experience is not necessary.

Women Build Volunteers take part in 2011 Women Build Week.

Women Build Volunteers take part in 2011 Women Build Week.

Volunteers will be constructing and finishing a shed for a Fargo Habitat home.  Construction will begin at 8 am on Thursday, May 10th at 1534 1st Ave S, Fargo.  Lunch is provided.  Those interested in volunteering should call 218-284-5253 ext 2 or email habitat@lakeagassizhabitat.org to sign up.

To date, Women Build volunteers have helped construct more than 1,900 Habitat houses nationwide. Locally, Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity has built 4 Women Build homes.

National Women Build Week is held the week leading up to Mother’s Day because of its significance to Habitat homeowners and volunteers. Families with children make up a staggering number of those in need of adequate housing. More than 12 million children – one in six – live in poverty housing in the United States alone.

Lowe’s contributed more than $1.3 million to National Women Build Week, providing $5,000 Lowe’s gift cards to 275 Habitat affiliates. National Women Build Week is one of the major initiatives supported through Lowe’s five-year, $20 million pledge to Habitat. As the underwriter of the Women Build program since 2004, Lowe’s conducts “how-to” clinics at stores to teach women construction skills, enabling them to support Habitat projects across the country.

To volunteer or donate to this project, please call 218-284-5253 ext. 2, email habitat@lakeagassizhabitat.org or visit www.lakeagassizhabitat.org.