May 11, 2012 You often hear about women helping other women, what about women building homes for other women? That is exactly what will happen on May 12th in Fryeburg at 483 Menotomy RD. Thanks to Lowe's North Conway and the Habitat for Humanity Mount Washington Valley Affiliate, a female recipient and her family will have a new home in less than a year's time built by a predominately female crew. All in recognition of National Women Build Week and Mother's Day.
"This is our fifth year and sixth house," says Jill Reynolds, the first female board member of Habitat for Humanity who is now joined by two other women. Nationally women volunteers have helped build 1900 homes, with the help of a $5000 Lowe's gift card contribution each for 275 Habitat affiliates.
Here in the Valley, Lowe's hosted a two -hour clinic –it lasted for three- to train the volunteers. "Oh what fun we had," says Reynolds. She says you don't have to have building skills. "This is open to all, some have never used a screw gun or held a hammer," she adds. State Representative Helen Rankin was present, down on her hands and knees, wearing goggles, using a circular saw. President of the Fryeburg Business Association, Donna Woodward, was also there.
During the clinic the volunteers actually built a wall. "The wall won't be dismantled, but used towards a shed being built on the property," says Reynolds. In previous years houses were built with basements, but when building materials sky rocketed in price, the design was changed. Houses are built on slabs and have a shed to accompany them, she adds.
On the day of the build 30 women work with 10 regular Habitat volunteers. The construction takes seven to eight months with volunteers and the homeowner working on Thursdays.
"This is not a give-away," says Reynolds. Prospective homeowners must apply. The family who is nominated will be approved by the Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors. The family is required to help build and be able to pay down a 30-year mortgage, adds Reynolds. "In place of a down payment, three hundred hours of sweat equity will be devoted," she says.
The home is then sold at cost of the building materials to the family. "We try to keep the payments as low as possible, we build a modest footprint. Reynolds adds there is protection built in for Habitat to prevent homeowners from flipping the houses or delinquent payments. "If some one is behind we have serious talks, we try to work with them. We have the ability to foreclose we don't want to throw anyone out on the street but have to be protected," she adds.
On the day of the build expect good food, too. "The first year my church supplied lunch. Altrusa, another female organization, took over. They come in at 10 a.m. for coffee, then lunch, then the next morning," says Reynolds.
Reynolds has a message for those building on May 12th: "It is a small site, please park right hand side of road Car poolers can park at Maine Information Booth on RT 302," she adds.
For more information: call 603-447-8823, mwvWomenBuild@yahoo.com
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