Happy Women Build Week!

Happy Women Build Week!

After months of anticipation, Women Build Week is finally upon us! The goal: recruit, educate and nurture women to build – and advocate for – safe and affordable housing in our community. More than 10 teams of women from across our community will be doing everything from installing drywall to putting up siding on build sites across Milwaukee’s Midtown and Harambee neighborhoods this week. Teams had a collective goal of raising $35,000 towards the cost of materials for future homeowner, and single mother of two, Tanika. We’re so close to reaching that goal – find out how close!

During the official Women Build kickoff party at Estabrook Beer Garden, Tanika met Milwaukee Habitat’s first Women Build homeowner, Johanna Jimenez. Coming full circle, Johanna is now a Milwaukee Habitat board member and is leading one of this year’s Women Build teams.

This heartfelt moment between former and current Women Build families exemplifies women empowering one another to become first-time homebuyers. Single mothers account for the majority of families that Milwaukee Habitat has served in recent years. Barriers to homeownership like large down payments, the rising cost of housing and the denial of affordable loans are often compounded for families on a single income.

That’s why builds like this are so crucial. With help from Women Build participants and donors like you, Women Build participants have nearly reached their goal to fundraise $35,000 towards the cost of Tanika’s home. Support like this is making homeownership affordable for Tanika’s family. The typical mortgage payment for a brand new Habitat home is between $600-$800 per month, with no down payment required. This wouldn’t be possible without these generous contributions of time and resources. Tanika will be working alongside Women Build volunteers all week long as together they’ll construct her future home.

Follow our Facebook page for photos of our Women Build teams in action later this week!