One Home, Many Hands partnership launched
The College of William & Mary, Housing Partnerships, Inc., and Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg are excited to announce the “One Home, Many Hands” partnership to build a home for a low-income family in Williamsburg. The home will be built on Burbank Street in the Highland Park neighborhood. A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for fall 2012.
"The College, Habitat and Housing Parnerships share many of the same values of hard work, integrity and concern for the good of the community," said William & Mary President Taylor Reveley. "We look forward to a long-lasting partnership."
The One Home, Many Hands partnership will be spearheaded by Drew Stelljes, director of community engagement and assistant vice president for student engagement and leadership for the College of William & Mary.
"We hope that students and the community will become more involved with each other and learn why more affordable housing is needed," said Stelljes. "We hope that everyone will also learn more about each other, get their hands dirty, and even have fun in the process of building a home for a low-income family."
The 1,000-square foot, three-bedroom, one-bathroom home will be built for a low-income resident of Williamsburg in the Highland Park community, and will be EarthCraft- and Energy Star-certified.
“These programs aim to provide healthy, comfortable homes that reduce utility costs and minimize environmental impacts,” said J. Abbitt Woodall, executive director of Housing Partnerships, Inc.
The College of William & Mary, Housing Partnerships, Inc., and Habitat for Humanity are raising funds through their joint website onehomemanyhands.org, where donors can contribute any amount, or buy "shares" in the build by paying for one square foot of the house for $62.00. Faculty and staff of the College have already begun contributing to the build through the 2011 Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (CVC). For the 2012 CVC, any donations from William and Mary staff to Housing Partnerships or Habitat for Humanity will once again go toward the funding of this house build.
The One Home, Many Hands partnership seek donations of materials for assistance with construction of this home. Items should be new and meet building codes and may include siding, paint, HVAC system, plumbing, roofing materials and flooring.
The One Home, Many Hands partnership is also looking to draw from local residents and students, staff, and alumni of the College of William & Mary for volunteer work once construction begins. Interested members of the community can find information about ongoing volunteer opportunities by visiting www.housingpartnerships.org and www.habitatPGW.org.
"We are thrilled with this partnership to help make the dream of homeownership a reality to deserving, low-income families," said Janet V. Green, executive director of Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg.
Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg is a non-profit organization serving the communities of Hampton, James City County, Williamsburg, York County and Poquoson. The local affiliate has completed 134 homes in the community and has performed over 100 repairs through its newest program, A Brush with Kindness. Habitat relies on building partnerships, volunteer labor and donated materials to continue to produce safe, decent and affordable housing to homeowners with excellent credit, an income between 45-60 percent of the area median income, and the ability to pay for their new Habitat home. For further information about Habitat, contact Executive Director Janet V. Green at 757-596-5553x3 or visit the website at www.habitatPGW.org.
Housing Partnerships, Inc. is a locally funded non-profit agency that provides vital housing repair services to very low-income individuals, and families who are unable to help themselves due to sickness, disability, or lack of financial resources. For further information about Housing Partnerships, Inc., contact Executive Director J. Abbitt Woodall at 757-221-0225 or visit the website at www.housingpartnerships.org.
For further information about the College of William & Mary Office of Community Engagement, contact Assistant Vice President Drew Stelljes, Ph.D., at 757-221-3262 or visit the website at www.wm.edu/oces.
