Habitat Needs You

Help us save AmeriCorps and critical funding!

The House of Representatives recently passed H.R. 1, which is legislation that cuts government spending. Unfortunately, these cuts include the elimination of the Corporation for National and Commuity Service, and significant decreases to housing and community development budgets. These cuts would drastically affect programs like ours that build and sell homes to hard-working people in need of decent and affordable housing.

If the bill is passed by the Senate and signed by the President, some of the impacts include:

·    The elimination of all AmeriCorps and direct service programs beginning in 2011 – 2012

·    A decrease of more than $5.7 billion from the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) budget

·    Cuts to the public housing capital fund by more than 40%, endangering public housing households, more than half of whom are elderly and/or disabled, and more than 40% of whom have children

·    Cuts to the Community Development Fund from $4.45 billion to $1.5 billion

Habitat Metro Denver has relied on support from direct service organizations like Americorps since 1998, with more than 89 Americorps members having worked with us to increase capacity and build more homes. In addition, Habitat Metro Denver and other affordable housing organizations rely on funding from HUD through HOME Funds and CDBG to carry out our work.

Representatives and the President will have opportunities to shape the final spending package. We need your help to ensure that these critical services are not cut from the budget!

Ways you can help:

• Call your representative and tell them why you oppose H.R. 1 -Click here to see how your representative voted
• Visit www.saveservice.org and sign up to participate in "Save Service District Day" on Friday, February 25th.
• Help spread the word through social media on Facebook at www.facebook.com/saveservice or Twitter.
• Call your Senators and ask them to pass a Continuing Resolution that restores funding for the Corporation for National and Community Service and other critical funding for housing and community development. Talking points and call instructions can be found on www.saveservice.org/pages/actioncenter.

Ivanhoe Weekly Video Progress

As construction continues on the Ivanhoe project in Commerce City, volunteers and construction staff take some time to talk about working in cold weather and about the Americorps program. Click to watch the videos below and visit our website to learn how you can sign up to volunteer.

New Faces at Habitat

Meet Andrew Garver

Habitat History: Originally from Illinois, Andrew studied construction management at Illinois State. After taking construction classes, Andrew would take what he learned to Habitat and volunteer on construction sites on the weekends beginning in 2004. Andrew was always interested in working with Habitat and joined the Habitat Metro Denver construction team a couple months ago.

Favorite Phase in Construction: “My favorite phase is framing. You actually see a huge amount of progress when you’re done at the end of the day.”

Looking Forward: “I’m excited to just be building quality houses. I’m looking forward to working with regular volunteers and the staff and working with families side-by-side to see their dreams come true. This is a great organization and I’m glad to be here.”

Creating Homeownership Possibilities

By Kristin Delcamp
On Saturday, February 5^th more than 100 families braved the cold, snowy weather to apply for homeownership with Habitat for Humanity. In this time of economic instability it was amazing to host so many low-income families that felt that NOW is the time to pursue their dreams of homeownership. Families listened to a presentation that outlined our program requirements based on their need for housing, ability to make a monthly mortgage payment, and willingness to partner. An astounding 90% of the families in attendance felt they qualified for the program and decided to submit an application!

Habitat’s homeownership program is attractive to families because of the affordable 0% interest mortgage, and the opportunity to become fully prepared for homeownership by partnering with Habitat in a variety of ways. Each partner family applicant invests 250 hours of sweat equity labor to help build their home and the homes of other families.  In addition, they take classes that will prepare them to take care of their house inside and out, establish relationships with their neighbors, and build strong personal finances. Plus they get to join in partnership with thousands of volunteers, churches, community groups, and businesses that encourage their success and make their dreams a possibility.

Our program is usually the only homeownership choice for families that qualify because their incomes are too low to meet the criteria for a traditional bank loan. We are also the only housing organization in Denver that sells homes to families at 35-50% of the Area Median Income.

Given all the love and enthusiasm that goes into our program, Saturday’s snow was no match for the light that Habitat shines on families' dreams.

Harvard Dedications Update

Due to inclement weather, the Harvard Home Dedications will be rescheduled for next Tuesday, February 15th at 5:30pm for three homes. The final home, proudly sponsored by Frederic Printing & Partners, will be dedicated the following Tuesday, February 22 at 5:30pm.

When: Tuesday, February 15 at 5:30pm
Where: 2282, 2296 and 2298 W. Harvard Avenue, Denver


Join us next week as our partner families cut the ribbons and receive the keys to their new homes! For more information, visit habitatmetrodenver.org. 

Ivanhoe Weekly Video Progress

This week at the Ivanhoe project site, regular volunteers and construction supervisors demonstrate some basic construction skills. Try it out for yourself by signing up to volunteer in Commerce City at Ivanhoe and 69th Place. Also, read the short bio below of one of our new construction supervisors, Ian Bukowski.

Click here to connect with us on Facebook.

New Faces at Habitat

Meet Ian Bukowski

Habitat History: Originally from Maryland, Ian became involved with Americorps after graduating from college. He got a job as a construction supervisor at Habitat Chesapeake and worked primarily on rehab projects for 3 years. After moving to Denver in July, Ian was hired as a new construction manager at Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver.

Favorite Phase in Construction: “The first and last weeks are my favorite. In the last weeks, homeowners start to see it as a home and less as a construction site.”

Looking Forward: “It’s exciting to work on larger sites, to have more resources and to have more room. Denver is really unique and the homeowners are unique. Working with people from diverse backgrounds is really appealing to me.”