Habitat for Humanity of La Plata County | Summer 2009 Newsletter

Hello Habitat Friends, Recently, Habitat for Humanity International received a large legacy gift from its board chairman, J. Ronald Terwilliger. When this gift becomes available, it will primarily be used to help an estimated 60,000 families around the world. While this is great news globally, a huge need remains in La Plata County for our local residents. Our hope is that this impressive charitable contribution inspires you to generously donate locally. Habitat for Humanity International holds individual affiliates such as ours to the same expectations as we hold our families; that is; to give us a hand up – not a hand-out. It will take entire communities to help us build safe, decent, affordable homes for the residents of La Plata County who live in sub-standard or unaffordable housing. We are very excited about a recent helping hand from our community! Four Corners Solar will do-nate and install solar systems on the duplex currently under construction. Along with a grant from Xcel Energy, this generous donation will add to the value of the Habitat homes Energy Star certification and off-set new Habitat homeowner energy use. All Habitat homes in La Plata County beginning with the four homes built in Fox Farm Village last year will be Energy Star certified and we expect to work with

Four Corners Solar to make all future Habitat homes solar powered. Our Board of Directors and dedicated staff are com-mitted to be the best stewards of our resources, re-searching and investigating all avenues to carry out our mission more responsibly. In order to do this we need your continued support to achieve our goal of building six homes in the next three years for the de-serving families we have waiting. Your generous con-tributions of time and treasure are what it will take for us to realize this goal. Best wishes and May God bless you, Nadine

UPCOMING HABITAT

EVENTS:

July 2nd: Bike and Build group will

work on our Fox

Farm Village Build

before traveling on to the next stop of

their cross country

road bike adventure

to eradicate poverty housing!

July 18th: Women

Build Day! Call

(970) 382.2215 to

reserve your spot and volunteer for

this empowering

day!

August 15th: HBASC Women’s Council

WOMEN BUILD

DAY!

November 6th: Wine Tasting and

Silent Auction takes

place at the Double-

Tree Hotel. This event is sponsored

by Liquor World

and proceeds will be

used to build more

affordable housing in 2010!

3001 N. Main Ave. Durango, CO 81301 • Phone (970) 382.2215 • www.habitatdurango.org

HABITAT HABITAT HAPPENINGSHAPPENINGS

Summer 2009 Issue 8, Published 3 Times Yearly

HOUSING TRENDS IN LA PLATA COUNTYHOUSING TRENDS IN LA PLATA COUNTY

FROM THE DESK OF OUR DIRECTORFROM THE DESK OF OUR DIRECTOR

Housing costs in La Plata County continue to rise making it continually harder for local work-ers to live where they are employed. The median house price in Durango for the first quarter of 2009 has increased by 9.18% to $404,000 and the median condo price has increased by 9.49% to $250,750. These costs are higher than in 2008, 2007, or 2006. The price of land has increased by 36.7% to $115,000. (Durango Area Association of Realtors) Renting a home in La Plata County is a challenge; Durango apartments have the 6th highest rent in all of Colorado. (Durango Herald 5/25/09) The median house price in Bayfield for the first quar-ter of 2009 was $247,500. Our Fox Farm Village homes will be sold for $160,000 making living in our community a reality for hardworking residents. We need your support so we can continue our mission to provide affordable homeownership opportunities. Send us $30 for our 30th home TODAY!

Hard working Volunteers on 6/6/09

MEET OUR NEW PARTNER FAMILIESMEET OUR NEW PARTNER FAMILIES Michelle and Jackson Uhl

Michelle and Jackson will become Habitat Homeowners at the end of 2009. Michelle has lived in Durango for seventeen years and has worked at the Durango Herald for nine years. She has always dreamed of owning her own home. Her positive attitude and willingness to serve others are just a couple of her many incredible qualities. Jackson is seven and is in first grade at Needham Elementary. He loves Legos, dirt and bugs! He is very excited to have a room of his own to play in. Michelle can-not wait to have a washer and dryer in her home. She has been doing her laundry in a laundromat for 10 years! “I want my son Jackson to see that with hope, hard work and determina-tion you can accomplish anything.”

Sherri and Marilyn Chivers Sherri and her daughter Marilyn moved to Durango from Ft. Lauderdale. They wanted to experi-ence a differ-ent environ-ment and lifestyle. They both love Colorado’s moun-tains, the change of seasons and all it’s wonderful outdoor activities. Marilyn, who is 14, is looking forward to helping out in the Habitat Home Supply ReStore to contribute to the “sweat equity” hours her mom and she will do. Sherri is anxious to get started with helping out on site where Habitat homes are being built this year and her home will be built next year. Sherri said, “We feel very fortu-nate having been selected and are very grateful to everyone associated with Habitat for Humanity for making this possible.”

Amy Briscoe and Joseph & Justin Carver

Amy and her two sons have lived in Bayfield for 5 years. Amy is currently employed at Grasshoppers in Bayfield as the Office Manager. Her son Jo-seph, 17, will be a Junior at Bayfield H.S. this year. He is very interested in electronics and enjoys cooking. Justin, 13, will begin 8th grade in the fall. He loves to play basketball and dreams of being in the NBA someday. When Amy found out she was accepted as a Part-ner Family in May, she told us, “This will be our first time as homeowners and we are excited and looking for-ward to it. We are thrilled to have this opportunity, everything has always felt like a struggle– I never dreamed this could be a possibility. My boys and I can’t wait to begin building our home. We will take so much pride in our home, knowing that we built it our-selves.”

Local BANKS BUIL D our HOMESLocal BANKS BUIL D our HOMES Wells Fargo Bank Wells Fargo gives dreams a chance through their local Durango branch and Housing Foundation. Their vision is to be one of America's great companies by helping low- to moderate-income people become homeowners. They are committed to giving back to La Plata County and in the last three years Wells Fargo has donated over $37,000 to our organization and has volunteered to help build 9 houses for local families. Nationally, the Wells Fargo Housing Foundation and Habitat for Humanity have built more than 2,300 homes in the past 14 years — an average of 164 homes annually. The Housing Foundation has contributed more than $45 million towards loans and grants, more than 100,000 volunteers and more than 4 million volunteer hours. Thank you Wells Fargo for your 2009 donation of $15,000 and for helping to install roof sheeting, drywall, and paint the siding!! A special thanks to Mike Field for making this partnership happen. You make dreams become reality. Community Banks of Colorado This year, on August 29th Community Banks of Colorado will generously give their time and financial support to Habitat for Humanity. Habitat will receive a grant award from Community Banks of Colorado which will cover the cost of construction materials for the day of their group build, while their employees work hard to help build affordable housing! The local branch has served Durango since 1995 and has seven staff members. Community Banks of Colorado, “strive to nurture and develop the social networks in our communities by supporting education, the arts, affordable home ownership, responsible land development, and the values that draw and hold people to the places we call home.” Thank you Community Banks of Colorado for your support!

Bringing Down the Hammer...Bringing Down the Hammer...Myths and Truths about HabitatMyths and Truths about Habitat MYTH: Habitat for Humanity is an arm of the government. TRUTH: Habitat for Humanity International is an independent, nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. It is not an arm of the government, nor an arm of any par-ticular church denomination. Habitat does accept government funds for the acquisition of less than 4 plots of land or less than 4 houses in need of rehabilitation. Habitat also accepts government funds or services for "setting the stage" for house building, e.g., streets, utilities and administrative services.

VOLUNTEER’S CORNERVOLUNTEER’S CORNER Volunteering with Habitat is FUN and rewarding! Habitat for Humanity of La Plata County couldn’t accomplish the work we do without the help of our dedicated volunteers. A large number of volunteer hours go into each home Habitat builds, but volunteer oppor-tunities with Habitat for Humanity are not limited to construction work. We also have openings to serve on committees, help in our Home Sup-ply ReStore, provide lunches to hungry construction volunteers, and as-sist in the office. Your time and help will be valued at Habitat by staff, our Board of Directors, fellow volunteers and especially our deserving Partner Families! Contact our Volunteer and Development Coordinator at (970) 382.2215 or email [email protected].

Thank you to our NCCC AmeriCorps Members and Care-A-Vanner Volunteers!

Construction this year is moving along at a rapid pace thanks to the NCCC AmeriCorps members and Care-A-Vanner volun-teers. The mission of AmeriCorps NCCC is to “strengthen communities and develop leaders through direct, team-based national and community service.” The Care-A-Vanner pro-gram “...provides building opportunities for more than 6,000 Habitat volunteers traveling in recreational vehicles. The RV coordinator at Habitat International organizes nearly 200 builds annually in North America and to select international destinations.” The AmeriCorps mem-bers and Care-A-Vanner’s experience, hard work, leadership and “get things done” attitude have been in-valuable to our affiliate. They are awesome! Many, many thanks to Steve Blythe, Laura Melvin, Charles and Donna Mae Panian, Marie Fox and David Nokes, Bonnie Nelson, Amy Roberts, Mary Kate Weaver, Davis Peck, Brit-tany Dibble, Adam Bookman, Karla Gardner, Patrick Gomperts, and Jess Charette. American Red Cross, AmeriCorps NCCC, and Kyla’s Friends and Family Build Day

Jim Brossman

Gre

g R

oss

ell a

nd A

nita

Phi

lips

Mark Bowman

3001 N Main Ave Durango, CO 81301 (970) 382.2215

Habitat Staff Nadine Chaney-Orantes Executive Director Jen Nail Volunteer and Development Coordinator Michaela Cordes Grants and Office Manager Don Moffat Construction Manager Ross Worley Lead Sales Tim Gaul Lead Sales Zack Ancona Driver Mark Jungen Yard Worker Dan Cook Yard Worker HFHLPC Board of Directors Laura Shelton President Rich Vick Vice President Pete Olson Treasurer Aaron MIller Dean Brookie Leanna Jaworsky Susana Jones Aimee Stordahl Kim Hall

Non Profit

US Postage PAID

Permit

No. 533

This newsletter is printed on 100% post

consumer recycled paper and can also be

mailed electronically. If you would like to

receive an electronic version of our newslet-

ter instead of the paper copy, please call

(970) 382.2215 or email

[email protected].

FOX FARM VILLAGE CONSTRUCTION PROGRESSFOX FARM VILLAGE CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS

$30-4-30th! Habitat will build our 29th and 30th home this year! Your $30 donation can help make a difference for families TODAY! Use the enclosed envelope to send in your gift of support to Habitat for Humanity of La Plata County.

HABITAT 2009 “COMING HOME” TOURS At the end of our 2009 build, Habitat will be giving home tours of the completed Fox Farm Village Phase Two duplex. We are excited to show the community the finished homes that families will be moving into this year! If you are interested in taking a tour, please contact us at the office (970) 382.2215. This is a wonderful opportunity to see the incredible homes Habitat is building in La Plata County and learn more about how to get involved.

Volunteer construction began as scheduled on May 23rd at the Fox Farm Village Phase Two duplex. Excavation and concrete work had been completed prior and volunteers began the day with framing. Since then, individual volunteers, AmeriCorps NCCC members, Care-A-Vanners and volunteer groups- both local and out of town, have made incredible progress on the build. As of June 13th, we are two weeks ahead of schedule. Volunteers are installing roof sheeting, siding and windows. Cabinets are ordered and will also be installed this month! Each duplex will be built to high environmental standards and in-clude solar panels! We are delighted to announce that each Habitat home built in Bayfield will be Energy Start Certified. We look forward to the home completion this year and more building at Fox Farm Village in the future.