U.S. Office. Home Builders Blitz Project overview. United States and Canada

Transcription

1 U.S. Office Home Builders Blitz Project overview United States and Canada

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3 Table of Contents Introduction...4 Letter from HFHI CEO Jonathan Reckford... 4 Letter from Home Builders Blitz founder Tom Gipson... 5 Project overview...6 History of the project... 6 Rehabs and repairs... 7 Project responsibilities... 7 Project timeline... 9 Home Builders Blitz contacts COVER PHOTO: EZRA MILLSTEIN

4 4 HOME BUILDERS BLITZ 2015 PROJECT OVERVIEW Introduction Every other year wasn t enough! Habitat for Humanity affiliates and homebuilders determined that the Home Builders Blitz has been such a great success that it will now be an annual event. We will be able to engage more people to serve more families in more communities than ever before. In 2014, affiliate organizers, professional builders, volunteers and other supporters came together to build 206 new homes and rehabilitate 51 more during one week. I am delighted to see how this national initiative has made such an incredible difference for families and communities, and I am looking forward to continued success in One of our goals at Habitat is to engage more volunteers to become the hearts, hands and voices for the cause of adequate and affordable housing. Organizing big events like this is one way that we attract more people. Yes, it takes us outside our routine. Yes, it requires extra effort. And yes, it takes strong leadership, hard work and careful planning. The impact, however, reaches far beyond the Habitat families who purchase the homes that result from the blitz. New partnerships are formed with construction firms and their suppliers; local builders often receive muchdeserved recognition for their contributions; and awareness of Habitat s work and the need for adequate shelter is raised to a new level through this unique program. Thank you for your support of and participation in Home Builders Blitz. I pray God s many blessings on this amazing effort, and I look forward to hearing about the next homes that are built, the communities that are strengthened, and the hope that is renewed. Best wishes for an outstanding Home Builders Blitz 2015! Jonathan T.M. Reckford Chief Executive Officer Habitat for Humanity International WILL CROCKER

5 PROJECT OVERVIEW HOME BUILDERS BLITZ EZRA MILLSTEIN Home Builders Blitz 2015 In the 2006 and 2008 Home Builders Blitz events, professional homebuilders and Habitat affiliates partnered to construct or renovate a combined 722 homes toward our original goal of building 1,000 houses for Habitat. By the end of the 2012 event, when we include the pilot event and the off-year builds, we had exceeded our original goal. More than 1,000 builders teamed with 130 Habitat affiliates in 2006 to provide housing for nearly 2,000 people. During the 2008 event, in spite of the downturn in the building industry, 110 affiliates partnered with builders to complete 263 homes across the United States. In 2012, 74 affiliates built 193 houses. In 2014, 81 affiliates completed 206 new homes and 51 rehabs and repairs. Although the slump in the industry has affected builders nationwide, their enthusiasm for giving back remains strong. Many have expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work with Habitat to improve their communities. Just as the families who move into safe, decent and affordable homes are thankful, we builders also are uplifted by the experience of working together for the greater good. The Home Builders Blitz has a proven track record of touching the spirit of everyone who is involved. As I visited the Home Builders Blitz sites in all the national events, I took great pride in witnessing the commitment and joy of professional builders many of them working with Habitat for the first time and of the volunteers, homeowner families and Habitat staff. I am delighted to be a part of the planning for the June 2015 build, and know it will offer the same deep satisfaction and sense of accomplishment. Stepping out in faith, we can offer this opportunity to professionals who worked with us before and to those whose lives will be enriched by joining us for the first time. Together, let s make 2015 the best Home Builders Blitz ever! Special thanks to all the affiliates that participated in past Home Builders Blitzes. HFHI has learned from your successes and challenges and used this information to help update the 2015 manual. Tom Gipson National Builder Chair, Home Builders Blitz

6 6 HOME BUILDERS BLITZ 2015 PROJECT OVERVIEW Project overview History of the project In 2002, Habitat for Humanity of Wake County (North Carolina) and local custom home builder Tom Gipson partnered to recruit 12 professional homebuilders to build one house each in a five-day period, donating as much of the materials as possible. The results were astounding: 12 homes completed in five days at a total cost to the affiliate (not including land) of $84,000. In addition to donating labor and materials, the builders raised $100,000 in cash donations. This local idea became a successful national initiative in June The first national Home Builders Blitz involved more than 1,000 professional homebuilders working on 459 homes at 130 Habitat affiliates across the country, providing housing for nearly 2,000 people. This was the largest home-building effort in Habitat for Humanity s history. The project was so successful that affiliates and builders wanted to replicate it in As a national program in 2008, 2012 and 2014, Home Builders Blitz produced an additional 662 new homes and 63 rehabilitations and repairs. In total, including the four national projects, the off-year local builds and the pilot projects that preceded the first national build, the HBB model has put more than 1,300 families into safe, healthy, affordable housing. Home Builders Blitz is a partnership with Habitat for Humanity and the building industry to build homes across the nation. The model works for affiliates of any size whether the affiliate elects to build one or 15 homes. Home Builders Blitz is a capacity-building opportunity, allowing affiliates to build more homes without overextending their current affiliate structure. HFHI found that nearly 90 percent of participating affiliates reported they were able to increase production through Home Builders Blitz without significantly increasing their overhead. The ultimate goal is to create ongoing partnerships with the building industry that will continue to benefit affiliates. In 2006, more than 50 percent of the builders that participated in Home Builders Blitz were engaged with their local Habitat affiliate for the first time. Ninety-four percent of the builders said their experience was either extremely positive or very positive. Sixty percent of the building companies participating in 2008 had participated in In 2012, 24 percent of participating builders were experiencing Habitat for the first time. Home Builder s Blitz 2015 will offer new opportunities for partnerships with builders whose specialty may be outside of new residential construction. The blitz will include rehabs and substantial repairs that follow the same model as new homes. As affiliates and the building community prepare for Home Builders Blitz 2015, new partnerships will be created, more homes will be built and, most importantly, more families will be served.

7 PROJECT OVERVIEW HOME BUILDERS BLITZ Rehabs and repairs In 2012, Home Builders Blitz incorporated rehabs and repairs for the first time. For 2015, we are again encouraging affiliates and builders to partner in doing rehabs and repairs. The idea is simple: Using the model that has successfully provided new homes through partnership between Habitat for Humanity and homebuilders, we will invite contractors who specialize in rehabilitation or major repairs to join us. The process for rehabs and repairs is the same as new homes in that the affiliate identifies a contractor to commit to lead the project and raise funds while the affiliate secures the site and approves the family. Rehabs: Depending on the extent of the rehab project, it might be beneficial to complete all the demolition before the blitz, leaving only the reconstruction to be completed that week. A Certificate of Occupancy is expected at week s end. All rehabs should be done in accordance with the Home Rehabilitation Guide found on My.Habitat at my.habitat.org/3f34c. Repairs: Larger repairs that use the Home Builders Blitz model and are completed during the blitz week should be reported as well. Examples would include a complete reroof and exterior painting or a complete modification for handicap accessibility. All repairs should be done in accordance with the Critical Home Repair Guide found on My.Habitat at my.habitat.org/3f2ae. Project responsibilities Home Builders Blitz is an exciting opportunity for Habitat for Humanity affiliates and professional builders to partner to build and renovate homes across the nation. Affiliates and builders will work closely together to coordinate this project. The responsibilities of each group are defined below. Builder responsibilities Organize a team of subcontractors and suppliers to complete a home in five days one week with a goal of delivering the house at no cost to Habitat. Seek donations of labor and materials. Attend monthly team meetings. Select the chair for fundraising efforts. Participate in project fundraising by seeking out nonbuilding business partners (lenders, real estate agents, attorneys, etc.). Recruit builders for additional home builds. Engage building inspectors. Interact with the Habitat affiliate to complete the project. Engage the local homebuilders association. Select a builder leader (for multiple-house builds). Conduct monthly team planning meetings (for multiple-house builds).

8 8 HOME BUILDERS BLITZ 2015 PROJECT OVERVIEW Manufacturer responsibilities Donate materials to builders and affiliates. Assist in a plan to distribute materials to participating affiliates. Habitat for Humanity affiliate responsibilities Select homebuyers and provide homebuyer support. Acquire land and develop sites. Provide house plans to builders. Support builders in their fundraising efforts. Provide public and media relations. Provide a warranty on the work after the home is complete. Provide building specifications to ensure uniformity of homes. Reach more families in need by partnering with a group of highly skilled professionals. Form new relationships with professionals in the building industry. Define for builders the parameters of what simple, decent housing means for your affiliate. Habitat for Humanity International responsibilities Seek in-kind product donations from national manufacturers. Provide media support and materials on a national level. Provide project support and materials (blitz manual, information resources, etc.). Facilitate best-practice sharing among affiliates (conference calls, etc.). Promote a consistent message while marketing the national event.

9 PROJECT OVERVIEW HOME BUILDERS BLITZ Project timeline This timeline includes major deadlines that will help you plan your project. We understand that local regulations may alter the exact timing of these items. Please use the following information as a guideline as you prepare for your build. December 2014 A - House plans finalized. A - Material take-offs made available to builders. A - Builder lot assignments made. November 2014 H - National in-kind partners finalized. A - Affiliate and builder partnership agreement signed; copy is provided to HFHI. October 2014 A - Family selection finalized. H - National major site selection process begins. September 2014 B - Work with municipal inspectors to secure commitment to project. A - Building sites identified and moving toward transfer to affiliate ownership. August 2014 A - Building sites identified. A - Builders identified. A - Builder team leader group selected and initial meeting held (meetings continue each month as needed). May-August 2014 A - Meet with building industry to introduce Home Builders Blitz 2015 plans. A - Kickoff or reunion event to announce HBB January 2015 H - National in-kind material distribution plan and order forms available. H - National major sites selected. A - Project signage ordered from HFHI. February 2015 H - National media plan rollout. H - Affiliate project media kits available. B - Subcontractors and suppliers finalized. March 2015 A - Project logistics finalized. A - All planning and zoning issues resolved. A - Site ownership to affiliate completed. A - Building permits secured. April 2015 A - Fine tuning of project details. B - Subcontractor permits secured. May 2015 A - Foundation and all prebuild work complete. B - Materials ordered. June 8, 2015 B and A - The build begins (seven days later, houses will be completed and dedicated). Key (to timeline): A - Affiliate B - Builder H - Habitat for Humanity International

10 10 HOME BUILDERS BLITZ 2015 PROJECT OVERVIEW Home Builders Blitz contacts The following members of the Home Builders Blitz 2014 staff may be used as a resource to help you plan your affiliate s project. Mike Welch, Construction Technologies, HFHI , ext miwelch@habitat.org David Moore, Affiliate Support, HFHI dmoore@habitat.org Matt Clark, Senior Director, Supply Chain, HFHI ReStore Support Group , ext mclark@habitat.org Adam C. Rondeau, Manager, Media Relations, HFHI arondeau@habitat.org KYLE KURLICK

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12 INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS: 121 Habitat St. Americus, GA USA HABITAT fax habitat.org 200/CAER/7-14