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As part of the Home Builders Blitz 2006, professional homebuilders, partner families and Habitat for Humanity affiliates across the United States worked together to build 440 decent, affordable Habitat homes -- constructed from start to finish -- all in one week. In fact, 1000 professional homebuilders built these homes for more than 1000 people simultaneously in more than 130 communities throughout the United States. As hurricane-devastated areas of the U.S. Gulf Coast become habitable once again, professional homebuilders are also helping to construct Habitat homes in this region where their assistance is needed so much. The five-day, over 440-home portion of the Home Builders Blitz -- held from June 5 to June 9, 2006 -- was the largest event of its kind in the history of the United States.
Here in Milwaukee, a total of 11 local home builders and many local and national businesses participated in this unprecedented event. The Milwaukee Metropolitan Builders Association (MBA) also had an active role in helping to endorse, organize and support this large endeavor. Together, the 11 builders worked with Milwaukee Habitat to build 10 simple, decent, affordable homes for area families in need.
These generous home builders, businesses and other partners were:
Home Builders
Local Partners offering contributions for all 10 homes
- A/E Graphics (duplication of plans and site signage)
- ABC Supply Company (roofing materials)
- A. O. Smith (water heaters)
- Aetna Builders Hardware (Eaton Corp.) (Schlage locks - exterior, interior, deadbolts, spring stops, hinge stops, handrail brackets, bath bars, toilet paper holders, shower rods, and cabinet knobs)
- Alside (siding materials, exterior trim and aluminium soffit)
- Arnold's Environmental Services (portable restrooms)
- Broan-NuTone (bathroom ceiling fan/light fixtures, range hoods)
- CertainTeed Corp. (roof shingles)
- City of Milwaukee (land and infrastructure)
- Cornerstone of Wisconsin (disposal of all construction waste)
- Cornerstone Security Group, LLC (temporary security systems during construction)
- Five Star Energy Corporation (consulting services for Energy Star certification)
- Focus on Energy (financial support for Energy Star modifications)
- Gracious Granite (vanity tops)
- Hallmark Building Supplies
(Tyvek brand house wrap, window wrap and tape)
Heritage Title Services, Inc. (title searches and title insurance for all house closings)
In-Sink-Erator (all food waste disposers, hot water dispensers and sinic top switches)
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (Local 494) (electrical labor - done by JSE and Spring City Electric)
Johnsonville Sausage (use of on-site refrigeration unit during construction)
Lennox Industries (high-efficiency gas furnaces)
MG Design (design and construction of Habitat booth for display at area trade shows)
Master Lock (use of land for material storage, events, parking and logistics)
Quarles and Brady, LLP (pro bono legal services for all house closings and representation in other legal matters)
Radiant Electric Heat (thermostats)
Sherwin-Williams Co. (all paint, plus labor for painting 1 house)
Signature Lighting (light fixtures and ceiling fans)
The Gilded Edge (decorative artwork for each home)
The Home Depot (fiberglass wall insulation)
Total Comfort Mechanical Contractors (2 carbon monoxide detectors for each home)
Two Men And A Truck (West Allis) (moving services and packing materials for families)
VerHalen, Inc. (Pella windows and exterior doors)
Wal-Mart (major donation of bottled water, and financial support for food)
Waste Management (dumpster for food waste, and cardboard trash receptacles)
WE Energies (sponsorship of food tent)
Wisconsin Shower Door (2 mirrors for each home)
Zuern Building Products (all interior doors and trim)
In addition, the following national partners -- many of which have on-going relationships with Habitat -- provided other in-kind and/or monetary contributions for all 10 homes, to help make Milwaukee's Home Builder Blitz 2006 a success:
Please take a moment to view the complete list of donors to the Milwaukee Home Builders Blitz 2006. We are forever grateful for all of these "helping hands" who were so crucial for the building of these 10 homes! (Please let us know if we may have inavertantly missed anyone or listed any names incorrectly, so that we can make these changes. Thank you.)
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Builders Blitz Day 1
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Completed Homes
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Frequently Asked Questions
What was the role of the builder before, during and after the event?
Home builders were challenged to fully accomplish the build in five days and to work with their suppliers and subcontractors to deliver the houses at as little cost as possible to Milwaukee Habitat. Before the event, builders were asked to attend monthly meetings and participate in team fund-raising activities. Builders were encouraged to be on site for the five days of the build and -- the most exciting part of the project -- to meet the homeowner families. Builders submitted their invoices from their vendors or suppliers for non-donated goods and services, and Milwaukee Habitat then paid them, as needed, at the end of the build. Warranty commitments are being maintained by Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity and are not the responsibility of the builders.
What did Milwaukee Habitat provide to assist builders in this event?
Milwaukee Habitat secured land for the build and managed site development by providing lots with foundations (full basements), concrete flatwork and utilities in place. Habitat furnished the builder with house plans and obtained required permits for the homes. Milwaukee Habitat staff provided support for fund raising, publicity and marketing, and Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) staff provided development support by reaching out to national building industry partners on behalf of affiliates. As the event (June 5-9, 2006) approached, HFHI media relations staff also supported the event by publicizing it nationally and by assisting in local public relations efforts.
What were the benefits to builders, contractors, suppliers and other businesses who got involved?
Builders and others involved with Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity through the Home Builders Blitz 2006 made a significant, unprecedented change in the Milwaukee community and in people's lives, by making affordable housing available to families in need. Through this event, builders and other participants received significant local publicity and recognition for their efforts. Their participation in Home Builders Blitz 2006 allowed them to make a substantial contribution for one week's effort -- leveraging their skills and resources into a major financial contribution to the community.
Why was the event held the week of June 5-June 9?
Home Builders Blitz 2006 was scheduled to coincide with the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Homeownership Week. We also hoped that by holding the event in late spring, the weather in the Milwaukee area -- and around the country -- would be pleasant for building; thankfully, in Milwaukee at least, it was!
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