June 5-9, local professional builders and construction experts will join Habitat for Humanity of Wake County to build five safe, affordable homes in one week during the annual Home Builders Blitz. The project kicks off on Monday, June 5 at 9 a.m., when Habitat leaders, builders and sponsors will help raise the walls of a future home located at 5528 Neuse View Drive.
The Home Builders Blitz is a national event --- 30 Habitat for Humanity affiliates across the country will be building or repairing 200 houses in one week -- with strong Wake County connections.
The Home Builders Blitz began in Raleigh in 2002 as the vision of custom home builder Tom Gipson, who recruited 11 other builders to build Habitat homes in one week. Within four years, Habitat affiliates in other states were organizing “blitz” builds to construct homes in one week. Since then, more than 2,000 builders in 300 communities have participated in Home Builders Blitz.
Cary-based Ply Gem, a manufacturer of exterior building materials, is the presenting sponsor of the national Home Builders Blitz. Ply Gem siding and windows are used to construct Habitat homes. Ply Gem's sponsorship is one component of the Home for Good project – a multi-year initiative that includes the donation of more than $1 million of exterior building products and funds to support affordable housing through Habitat for Humanity.
Martin Marietta Materials, headquartered in Raleigh, is a silver sponsor of the national Home Builders Blitz. Martin Marietta products are used in the foundations of the homes.
In Raleigh, 14 builders are working together to build five safe, affordable homes.
“We are grateful to have a large group of builders participating in this year’s Blitz,” commented Kevin Campbell, president and CEO of Habitat Wake. “We are keenly aware of how active the market is right now, and truly appreciate the time and resources the builders are dedicating to building affordable homes in Wake County. Our county’s economic success actually puts pressure on affordable housing, and we are grateful to the building industry for partnering with us to provide solutions for hardworking families seeking homeownership.”
"The objectives of Habitat for Humanity and the Raleigh-Wake Home Builders Association are very similar, as we strive to make homeownership attainable for all," said Paul Kane, CEO of the HBA. "This project has been a great team effort, and we are extremely proud to be able to help five families achieve the American dream and have a place to call home."
Dan Ryan Builders and Savvy Homes are each building a house during the Blitz. Builders partnering to build three more homes include Bost Custom Homes, Braswell Construction Company, Cityscape Homes, Homes by Dickerson, Poythress Construction Company, Revolution Homes, Robuck Homes, Saussy Burbank, Snyder-Hankins Custom Homes, Sundance Signature Homes, Triple A Homes, and Winslow Custom Homes.
Fonville Morisey Barefoot is returning as Hospitality Sponsor of Blitz, with additional support from Builders Mutual Insurance Company and Empire Eats.