On Monday, October 5 at 12noon, Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity will raise the wall of another Habitat house being built in the Enka Hills neighborhood. This time though, the house sponsor isn’t a faith community, civic group or local business – it’s the board of directors and staff of Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity!
Executive Director Lew Kraus had been saying for the past twelve months that “The economy may be in a recession, but Habitat’s mission is not.” Board Vice-President Fred Barbour decided that it was time to show the community that the need for affordable housing is greater than ever and he called upon Habitat’s strongest proponents – its board and staff, to make that point. To that end, the funds and labor for this house will be coming from its internal team.
The media and public are invited to attend this special event – which happens to also be World Habitat Day 2009. And, this house will be the 200th Habitat house built in this community. After a short speaking program, Habitat board and staff members will join with the Noteboom family to raise the first wall of this 4-bedroom HealthyBuilt home.
In the past 25 years, Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity has welcomed 192 Buncombe County families to safe, decent and affordable houses. Habitat homes, which are HealthyBuilt certified, are sold at no profit to partner families, who pay back a no-interest loan.