America's Home Place
America's Home Place - From bare foundations to fully framed and finished houses, the rapid construction helped get hundreds of partner families into their own new homes. There were plenty of obstacles that builders encountered – from tornadoes and record-high heat to crowded work sites and ever-changing schedules – but each challenge was skillfully overcome. As New York builder Jerry Casesa said, “Thankfully, we had a team of professionals that took on every problem and resolved it on the spot and then asked, ‘alright, what’s next?’ Their enthusiasm and dedication was contagious.”
Many crews spent the final day of America's Home Place 2008 hosting dedication ceremonies with the families who will be moving into the new homes. It was a time to hand over the keys and present Bibles. And it was an emotional opportunity for everyone involved to come together, to celebrate and to give thanks. After witnessing a family’s joy upon seeing their completed house for the first time, Maryland builder John White said, “That’s all I needed to hear. I can go home now.”
Read about the week’s success in first-hand reports from HBB’s Builder’s Notebook. Several of our building professionals wrote from their work sites throughout the week of May 31-June 7 to give you an up-close perspective.
America's Home Place - Be sure to also check out the Home Builders Blitz 2008 photo slideshow to see some of what Habitat for Humanity International’s photographers captured. And explore the Project Locations page to learn about the Habitat affiliates and building partners who helped make this event a success all around the United States.
About this year’s Home Builders Blitz Home Builders Blitz is a partnership between professionals in the residential home building industry and Habitat for Humanity affiliates to build affordable homes across the nation.
America's Home Placebegan in 2002 by Tom Gipson, a professional home builder in Raleigh, N.C., who supported Habitat for Humanity’s efforts to eliminate poverty housing in his community. Gipson rallied other local builders for an accelerated build, and it was so successful that Habitat for Humanity International decided to promote it as a nationwide event.
Home Builders Blitz 2006 was the first national project. It involved more than 1,000 professional builders in 130 locations across the nation, and built 459 homes for deserving families. Since HBB’s inception, including local and national campaigns, the professional homebuilders industry has supported Habitat by building more than 800 homes.
“Bringing professional home builders into Habitat’s work is a natural project for a housing ministry,” said Kevin Campbell, director of Home Builders Blitz. “The builders augment the excellent work done every day by Habitat volunteers around the world, and that helps Habitat serve even more families in need.”