June 13–20 was, according to CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Wake County Patricia Burch, “a wonderful week spent with rookie Blitz builders and some who have been with us from the beginning” during the Home Builders Blitz that sees eight builders partner with Habitat Wake to build four homes in just seven days.

This year’s Blitz was the first hosted in Wake County since 2018 and included Homestead Building Company, McNeill Burbank, Midtown Custom Homes, Revolution Homes, Rock Creek Builders, Inc., Sundance Signature Homes, and Triple A Homes as partnering builders, and Upton & Co. Cary-based Cornerstone Building Brands, Inc. as the presenting sponsor.

Here, Burch breaks ground on Habitat Wake’s work in the community.

What is the aim of Habitat for Humanity and some of the positive differences the organization has made locally?

Habitat for Humanity of Wake County has been bringing people together to build and advocate for nearly 40 years. This strong foundation of community collaboration and support has enabled Habitat Wake to become the premier affordable homeownership provider in our area. Since 1985, more than 1,400 families have become homeowners or been able to stay in their homes through much-needed repairs and restoration.

People may be aware of Habitat’s homebuilding work, but what about its home preservation and advocacy efforts?

Homeownership will always be our foundation, but today’s challenges call for more. Habitat Wake works to advance equitable housing policies that increase access to housing for everyone in our community — not just homeowners. Nearly 400 advocacy volunteers work with us each year to create systemic change, including advocating for equitable land use policies, policies that reduce the risk of displacement, and equitable access to transit.

What are Habitat for Humanity’s ReStores?

The Habitat for Humanity ReStores collect tax-deductible donations from individual and community donors and resell these items to the public. The stores sell new and used furniture, building supplies, home décor, and more. All profits benefit Habitat’s mission to build affordable homes in the Triangle. Habitat Wake operates 10 stores across four counties and offers free pickup services for large donations.

Volunteer Joel Huenemann finds some relief in the shade while working on a Habitat home in the subdivision.

One in four families in our community is cost-burdened; how does that compare with the national average yet uniquely stress Wake County residents?

Affordable housing is a huge country-wide issue. Wake and Johnston counties are among the fastest-growing areas in the nation, which means that there is a severe shortage of nearly 28,000 affordable housing units for households earning under $50,000 annually. This growth — and the pandemic, which exacerbated preexisting inequities, including in housing — exacerbates the affordable housing crisis.

The Home Builders Blitz originated in Wake County. Please tell us more!

Home Builders Blitz started in Wake County in 2002, before Habitat International adopted the model. It was founded by local builder and philanthropist Tom Gipson, who continues to champion the event. Since its inception, the Blitz has built nearly 100 homes across Wake and Johnston counties and more than 2,000 nationwide.

What is the typical home-building time, and how challenging is it to condense to just one week?

Habitat homes are usually built by volunteers and take 12–16 weeks to complete. To finish a home in just seven days requires a tremendous amount of coordination, particularly in organizing vendors and subcontractors. A lot of preparation takes place in the months leading up to the build — and Blitz week is organized chaos! It’s fun to watch the builders, who are often competitors, work together to problem solve and make sure all homes are completed on time.

How does the Home Builders Blitz further the overarching Habitat mission?

The Home Builders Blitz is wonderful because it allows more families to buy their homes sooner. It also gives the for-profit builder community a chance to come together in common cause. Finally, the scale of the event gives us the opportunity to talk about the need for affordable housing in our community.

How can readers show support for Habitat for Humanity of Wake County?

Habitat Wake is always looking for volunteers and donors. We welcome individuals and company teams on our construction sites and in our ReStores — no experience is necessary. If people are interested in our advocacy work, they can look into our Advocacy Ambassadors program, which trains volunteers to organize and speak to elected officials in support of affordable housing.

Any upcoming events you would like to share?

The HBA Parade of Homes at the end of September and early October is a great opportunity to visit a Habitat home and see what our work is all about. This year Habitat Wake will feature three homes — in Raleigh, Knightdale, and Clayton.

habitatwake.org