Home Builders Blitz Fact Sheet

What is the Home Builders Blitz?
Home Builders Blitz 2008 is a partnership with Habitat for Humanity and the building industry to build homes across the nation.

History of the Home Builders Blitz
In 2002, HFH of Wake County and local custom home builder Tom Gipson partnered to recruit 12 professional home builders to build one house each in a five-day period, donating as much of the materials as possible. The results were astounding: 12 homes completed in five days at a total cost to the affiliate (not including land) of $84,000. In addition to donating labor and materials, the builders raised $100,000. In the first national Home Builders Blitz in 2006, more than 1,000 professional home builders came together to build 459 homes at 130 Habitat affiliates across the country, providing housing for nearly 2,000 people.

Timeframe
In 2008, the Home Builders Blitz kick-off took place during the first week of June (May 31 through June 7, 2008).

Home Builders Blitz model

• Complete the homes from framing to finish
• Affiliate is responsible for obtaining land and for pre-construction including the foundation and all concrete flatwork, underground utilities, and final grading prior to the start of the build
• Challenge builders to get all labor and materials donated
• Involve builders in cash fund raising – in addition to the in-kind products and services donations – allowing them to seek donations from lenders, real estate agents, title companies, attorneys and customers
• Ensure that Habitat homebuyer sweat-equity hours are completed outside the build week
• Establish a turnkey house construction process with Habitat for Humanity construction staff

Who will participate?
Home Builders Blitz 2008 is open to all local and national builders willing to partner with Habitat for Humanity affiliates to minimize the cost of building Habitat homes in their local communities.

What is the builder’s role?
Before the event, builders will be asked to attend monthly meetings and participate in team fund-raising activities. Builders are encouraged to be on site for the entire build and—the most exciting part of the project—to meet the homeowner families and involve them in the house construction. Builders will be asked to pay their vendors or suppliers, but warranty commitments are maintained by the Habitat for Humanity affiliate and are not the responsibility of the builder.

What is the Habitat for Humanity affiliate’s role?
Each Habitat for Humanity local affiliate will secure land for the build and manage site development by providing lots with foundations, drives and utilities in place. The affiliate will furnish builders with house plans and obtain all required permits for the homes. Local Habitat for Humanity staff will provide support for fund raising, publicity and marketing.

What are the benefits to builders who get involved?
The partnership between builders and the local affiliate will make a significant change in the community and in people’s lives by making affordable housing available to families in need. Builders participating in Home Builders Blitz 2008 will be making a whole home contribution through their hard work and industry expertise. Through this event, builders will receive local publicity and recognition for their efforts.

OK, I’m interested. What do I do next?

Please contact national project staff:

Kevin Campbell, Director
Building Industry Relations
(800) 422-4828, Ext. 4332
homebuildersblitz@habitat.org

Lauren Craven
Affiliate Specialist
(800) 422-4828, Ext. 7949
homebuildersblitz@habitat.org

You may also contact the local Habitat for Humanity affiliate in your area: