Habitat to Launch First Blitz Build
Wednesday, September 01, 2004

Preparations have already begun at the location for the newest Habitat for Humanity house. Work such as digging and pouring the foundation, plumbing, and electrical are all contracted out to professionals to ensure that the buildings are up to code.

By Ben Holman
Nevada Daily Mail

Rapid-fire framing, prompt plastering and speed shingling, things that bring to mind that popular Television series where a deserving family's home is completely remodeled in a mere week's time. This kind of hurried atmosphere will certainly be present this September as the Nevada area Habitat for Humanity gets underway on its next project.

The Nevada area Habitat for Humanity has been building affordable homes for deserving families in Vernon County for more than 10 years. Since 1994 the organization has constructed seven homes with the help of businesses, volunteers, and homeowners.

This September, Habitat for Humanity will begin work on their eighth house in Vernon County. However, this project has lofty goals; the newest Habitat home will be constructed in what is called a "Blitz Build." This means that the project will be completed in a mere 10 days.

According to Bob Beaver, chair of the local Habitat affiliate and project director, the Blitz Build is a method of drawing attention to Habitat for Humanity and has the added benefit of getting the family into the home more quickly.

The typical habitat project house takes approximately thre to four months to complete. Larger organizations usually do one Blitz Build per year among all of their other projects but, "we're not big enough to do one all the time," said Beaver.

"We've never tried this before," said Rev. Ralph Clark, chair of church relations for the local affiliate and volunteer coordinator for this project. "We've had some nay-sayers (as to whether we will be able to finish in 10 days), but I still say that anything we do get done just puts us that much further ahead."

Beaver said that they will need anywhere from 12-15 volunteers every day. The crews will work from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. An after-hours crew will also work in the evenings for volunteers who are unable to work during the day. Snacks and lunch will be provided for crews during the project, thanks to support from local businesses.

Clark said that they are really hoping to be able to complete the build on schedule but that support from local professionals will be pivotal in meeting that goal. "We don't expect local contractors to bring over their whole crew," he said. He said that the professionals will be needed to supply their expertise in specialized areas and to help guide other volunteers.

"I think if all the people who've shown interest (in this project) come out and help we've got a pretty good shot (at meeting the goal)," said Clark.

This house is also the largest house the local Habitat organization has ever built. A mother and her four children, ages 5 to 13, will take ownership of the house once it's completed.

A Habitat house is not a give-away though. The family is required to put in 300 hours of labor, called "sweat equity," on the house and is still required to make payments on the house.

The benefit of a Habitat house is that labor costs are very limited and there is no interest charged on the home, so the house is much more affordable.

Beaver said that the average cost of a Habitat house in Missouri is $38,000, although this house will be more expensive than that due to its size.

The house, which will be built at 242 N. Lynn in Nevada, will be a four-bedroom. two-bathroom home of about 1,200 square feet.

People who wish to volunteer are asked to contact Rev. Ralph Clark at the United Methodist Church in Nevada at (417) 667-5435.

People who wish to donate money can contact Rev. Clark or Bob Beaver at (417) 667-6714.

There is also a Web site that has information about the project, plans for the house and an estimated construction schedule. The Web site can be accessed by following the "Habitat" link at www.umcn.info .

We want to thank The Nevada Daily Mail for permission to reproduce this article and picture.

For Additional Information or to Volunteer
(417) 667-5435
habitatblitz@umcn.info