New Faces at Habitat

Meet Laura Allen-Hatcher

We are also happy to welcome the new Grants Administrator, Laura Allen-Hatcher. Her first few weeks here have been a whirlwind, but she says she has a lot to look forward to working here. Read on to hear it in her own words.

What is your history with Habitat? “When I was in college, I took a construction class at Arapahoe Community College. I really enjoyed just learning carpentry in general. Then I decided that I would volunteer on a Women’s Build project with Habitat to continue practicing my carpentry as well as volunteer with an organization I was somewhat familiar with. I really enjoyed that.

“My other contact with Habitat has been in my previous role with the City of Aurora, I was a Community Development Programs Specialist. That entailed actually funding Habitat.”

What does the Grants Administrator do? “I go after federal grant funds for the purpose of acquiring properties and helping to pay for infrastructure work. So, I fill out the grant applications, work through the approval process once we get approved, and negotiate contracts with the jurisdictions of the cities, counties, and possibly the state for the federal funds that they’re offering. Then, once we’re contracted, it is a matter of making sure that we are complying with the contract. Also, I track the progress of the project, do reports, and, ultimately, do payment requests to the jurisdictions to get reimbursed for the money we’ve expended.”

What is your favorite part about working at Habitat? “I really enjoy the team atmosphere that I’ve been experiencing. I would say that the corporate culture here is much more friendly, open, welcoming, team-oriented. I think the energy that the organization has is very refreshing. Here, there are lots of new and interesting things going on. People are excited about working with you. Even though it’s hard work, they come with a lot of energy and a really great attitude. I’ve really enjoyed that part of it.”

What are you looking forward to? “I’m really looking forward to the day where I feel like I know it, I got it, I’m in some kind of flow. At that point, I can start to be more and more creative about what I do. It’s been a challenge, but everyday it starts to feel a little bit better.”

New Faces at Habitat

Meet Kate Hilberg

We here at Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver are excited to bring on Kate Hilberg as our new Real Estate Manager. Here is what she has to say about her experience working at Habitat so far.

What is your history with Habitat? “I volunteered for quite a while on the construction sites, as well as as a member of the Women Build Committee.”

What does the Real Estate Manager do? “I’m responsible for finding and purchasing land for the houses and making sure that we’re being a good neighbor. I do diligence on the properties to make sure that they’re something we can actually use, as well as any zoning or planning approvals that need to be put in place before we can build on the land. I hire or oversee the engineering and design work for the properties. Then I make sure that we get the infrastructure in place on the properties before the construction teams take over.”

What is your favorite part about working at Habitat? “The people. They’re really fun, engaging, nice, really committed to what they’re doing.”

What are you looking forward to? “Sable Ridge. That’s the really large, four-acre site with 51 units. It’ll be a challenge.”

Habitat Denver is nation's first affordable builder to partner on EPA's New Homes Programs

Jim Martin (EPA) presents Heather Lafferty (HFHMD)
with the 2011 EPA Partner of the Year Award.

September 14^th, 2011 was a cold and gray day in Golden, CO, but not even the threatening rain clouds could wipe the smile off of Wendy’s face at the groundbreaking for her new Habitat home. Not only did this day mark the beginning of a new life for Wendy, but it was also the first step in a revolutionary partnership between Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver (HFHMD) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Wendy’s home will be the first affordable house in the nation to implement all three of the EPA’s home building standards into a single home. These three measures, ENERGY STAR, WaterSense and Indoor airPLUS, are meant to provide a cleaner home and environment, as well as drastically reduce utility costs for residents.

HFHMD has committed to building all future homes beginning in 2012 to the EPA’s New Homes Programs. We have been building our homes to the ENERGY STAR criterion for over a decade, which has saved residents an average of $200 to $400 in energy costs each year. By combining this with the WaterSense and Indoor airPLUS design, HFHMD hopes to create even more efficient and safe homes for our residents.

Dozens of EPA and HFHMD members joined together with Golden residents to celebrate this momentous occasion at the groundbreaking ceremony. Golden Mayor Pro Tem, Karen Oxman, was there to welcome Wendy to the neighborhood. EPA Regional Administrator, Jim Martin, and HFHMD CEO, Heather Lafferty also spoke about the importance of building energy efficient homes.

Wendy said she is so grateful to be working with HFHMD and becoming the first homeowner involved in this initiative. “I couldn’t ask for anything more!” she said.

Habitat's Women Build Featured in the Denver Business Journal

Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver’s Women Build program was featured in the Denver Business Journal’s “Outstanding Women in Business” last month. The journal recognized the incredible support Habitat receives from this group of over 600 women.

Women Build’s goal each year is for at least one home to be completely built and funded by women volunteers. Since 1995, the group has completed 20 homes for low-income families in the Metro Denver area. This year, they are taking on a two-story duplex, east of Sloan’s Lake. Such an ambitious project has required twice the normal amount of daily volunteers, but Habitat has seen no shortage in turn-out. “We’ve had an amazing amount of support this year,” said Jill McClure, chair of Women Build, in the article.

Click here to read the full article and to discover the remarkable impact the Women Build program has on families and its women volunteers.

Click here to watch a video featuring activity on the Women Build site and details about this fun program.