Habitat for Humanity ‘Big Build’ turned ‘Little Build’ progresses

Home ownership in this real estate boom market is growing fast. Even faster is the growing cost of materials, due to not being in operation for a year. Add to that a labor shortage.

But that’s not stopping the Wimberley Valley Habitat for Humanity to build the WVHH House #22, paused for a year, but now in full swing. Since 1992, the local Habitat has been building affordable housing for families, called partners, because that’s what they become.

A Habitat Partner is selected based on meeting three criteria: Need, Ability to Pay and Willingness to Partner. Once need is established, ability to pay includes an interest free mortgage.

The real work comes in sweat equity, putting in 300 hours of manual labor in your own house and volunteering at future WVHH builds. Candidates must live within 78676 or the WISD boundaries are also a must.

This years’ Build was put on hold for a year, like everyone’s, and volunteer groups have been kept smaller but are still needed. Working last Saturday were families and couples, the Miller’s working on daughter Nicole’s house, the Poes, the Savages, Bob Cross, and visiting from Conroe, Vic and Debbie Templet, veterans of Habitat builds there.

Under Bill Tarwaters’ direction, #22 is coming along nicely, land cleared, cement poured, most of the frame up. But volunteers and sponsors are always needed. That’s what the non-profit is all about, volunteers helping others in the community.

Just swinging a hammer or sawing wood is just one way to help.

You can volunteer work hours at the Village Thrift Store where the more hours worked in the name of WVHH the more funds are allocated to it and in building affordable decent housing for community members.

For more information, on the build, volunteering at the Village Store, or to donate to the WVHH see their website at wimberleyhabitat.org