Habitat and home builders plan 8-day building blitz in 2012
National event gets cooperation of NAHB and local affiliates
By guest columnist Rochelle Fisher, president and CEO, Habitat for Humanity of Summit County

"Partnership" and "collaboration" have been the business “buzz words” for the last several years.  While Habitat for Humanity stretches itself each year to partner and collaborate with the for profit building community – sub laborers, trades people, and home builders – the year 2012 will show just how much the building community and those industries that support it can come together for the greater good. 

During the week of June 4, 2012 Habitat for Humanity will partner with three private builders – all members of the Home Builders Association of Summit and Portage County – to build three homes in eight days as part of the Home Builders Blitz 2012, a national event sponsored by Habitat for Humanity International and endorsed by the National Association of Home Builders.  The three brave builders who have stepped up to the batter’s box are Steve Miller of Rembrandt Homes; John McCarty of Dutch Heritage Homes, and Steve and Julie Brandle from Metis Construction Supporting their efforts will be Carmine Torio, Executive President of the local HBA of Summit and John Labriola, chief building inspector of Summit County.

The Home Builders Blitz 2012 is a partnership between Habitat for Humanity affiliates and the local building community to make sure more families have a chance to own a simple, decent house.  In Summit County three homes will be built on Ardella Avenue on Akron’s east side near Joy Park Homes.  Additionally, the collaboration extends beyond just the building community as Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority and its Executive Director Tony O’Leary made the lots available by donation to Habitat for Humanity about a year ago. 

The goal of the week is that across the country, Habitat for Humanity affiliates will partner with their local home builders association to build 250 homes, giving thousands of builders a positive experience and a renewed sense of community.  Here in Summit County our builds will kick off on Monday, June 4 and dedicate on Friday, June 15 at 10:00 am.  Our role is to secure the land, provide the house plan, obtain permits, provide fundraising publicity and marketing support, generate gifts in kind, and select homeowners based on our family selection criteria.  The builders will assist with the planning and development, get more local business partners and suppliers to participate, be on site to provide expertise, coordination of all labor and to take a home from framing to completion in 8 short days.  This is extreme home makeover right here in Akron!

We will also maintain our founding premise of working with volunteers on the job site and facilitating each family's contribution of sweat equity in their new home - in a shorter time frame and at an accelerated pace.  Our hope is to not disturb the neighborhood on Ardella Avenue too much over the 8 work days and our goal is to keep the work to daylight hours.  Never has this affiliate taken on such a project before and this is a great way for us to begin the celebration of 25 years of serving Summit County. 

Every day, Habitat strives to build a world where everyone has a decent place to live.  We ask for your help.  Your support helps Habitat build stronger families, better communities, and more hope.  If you are interested in getting involved with the 2012 Home Builders Blitz here in Summit County, contact us at 330-745-7734.  We need all the help we can get to make the dreams of three families a reality.