Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley Affiliate Welcomes First Day of CEO Construction

GYPSEUM – This happened as usual during the Habitat for Humanity construction days: Towards the end of the day, at the end of the work, volunteers were retreating to watch what they had accomplished.

was the day of construction of the CEO of the local subsidiary of Habitat. Local and regional business leaders who deal with hundreds of people and millions of dollars every day have willingly exchanged their business attire for volunteer blue T-shirts and their spreadsheets for hammers, saws and other tools of construction to work all day in the hot sun. More than that, they were happy to be here.

"This chapter of Habitat for Humanity is amazing, and their ingenuity continues," says Kristin Williams.

Why They're There

It's good to know why you're working, whether you're balancing a brush or a P & L statement. So, before they start early Thursday morning, they've heard about of Modesta Serna, one of the partner families whom they help to build the house

Serna is from Eagle County and raised his daughters here. "During the journey of life, I found myself having to leave because I could not afford to stay here," says Serna.

One of her friends was already a partner in Habitat. She completed a request last fall and waited from September to May to learn that she had been selected

"I'm so excited, it's a place my kids and I can call ours, "says Serna, showing him

His children are 19, 13 and 3 years old. They move next month.

"We both help each other," says Serna.

Mary Lynn and her family call home Vail Valley. Lynn is vice chair of the Habitat for Humanity International Regional Council and has been built in South Africa, Thailand, Mexico and other exotic regions such as Gypsum, Edwards and Minnesota – at least those she remembers a crawl space installing hangers for floor joists.

Like everything else in life, the foundation must be done properly. John Welaj, CEO of Habitat Vail Valley

Up to now, Habitat volunteers have built 74 homes in the Vail Valley, providing housing for more than 250 children.

"The support is deep in this valley," said Elyse Howard, director of Habitat Development Vail Valley.

Currently, they build six houses a year. They want to increase that number to eight houses a year by 2021.

They are negotiating lots to build 36 more houses in Stratton Flats of Gypsum and have an agreement with the school district to build houses between Gypsum Creek Middle School and Red Hill Elementary School for Eligible Employees of School Districts

"Because they are already so deeply committed to the community, they are excellent family partners," said Howard.

Nothing is Free

Partner families must work at least 250 hours to build their new homes – "sweat equity" is what Habitat people are calling. Thursday, Serna had exceeded 500 hours

After partner families invested hundreds of hours to build their homes, and after spending countless hours learning how to become homeowners and manage their money, Habitat partner families buy their homes. zero rate loans and payments based on 30% of their income.

The selection is based on the need, the ability to pay and the willingness to badociate with Habitat for Humanity. Family income must represent between 35% and 80% of the average median income of the region. For a family of four, it is $ 35,000 to $ 70,720.

You must also be a US citizen or legal resident.

Wander down to a Habitat construction site, and you'll probably see volunteers wearing T-shirts question very wisely, "What did you build today?"

Houses and families is the answer.

Staff Writer Randy Wyrick can be reached at 970-748-2935 and [email protected].