April 2, 2001

Bard Helps Build Home for Disadvantaged

Lawmakers, staff to build housing duplex for two low-income families

 Montgomery County lawmaker Rep. Ellen M. Bard (R-153) donned work clothes and a toolbox today to help her House colleagues and staff begin framing a home for Habitat for Humanity.

House lawmakers and staff are partnering with Habitat for Humanity to construct a duplex —" The House the House Built "— in Harrisburg for two low-income families.

" Everyone should do their part to help the less fortunate, " Bard said. " With just a small amount of effort, each of us who are blessed with good fortune can work together to improve the quality of life for everyone in our community.

" We who work at the Capitol and consider this area our second home appreciate the chance to help two Harrisburg families achieve the America Dream. "

The House of Representatives, in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity, is building two homes at 27 and 29 N. 13th Street in Harrisburg.

Bard said she believes the initiative will help engender volunteerism around the Commonwealth.

The cost of the project is $100,000, $65,000 of which is being raised by selling 2 ’ x 4 ’ wood studs used in the construction of the homes for $100 each. Buyers will have their names etched in the studs. The Pennsylvania Builders Association has contributed $25,000 and 84 Lumber, a Washington-County-headquartered timber company, has donated $10,000 worth of lumber.

Excavation began last month.

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry that seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world.

Habitat was founded in 1976 and has built more than 100,000 houses around the world, providing more than 500,000 people in more than 2,000 communities with safe, decent, affordable shelter.

Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and refurbishes houses with the help of the homeowner partner families. Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit and are financed with affordable, no-interest loans. The homeowners' monthly mortgage payments are used to build still more Habitat houses.

In addition to a down payment and the monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor – " sweat equity " – into building their Habitat house and the houses of others.