The power of Women Build

Homeowners Nilda, Christina, Ai, Yessica – and longtime volunteer Teri – reflect on the difference Habitat and homeownership have made in their lives.

Habitat house with yellow door and pink flowers blooming in front.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, our homes became schools, offices, restaurants, playgrounds and so much more. Now more than ever, we’re all realizing that a home is more than a shelter. It’s our safety, our prescription for health and the foundation for the futures we build.

Another truth that COVID-19 has brought home is the tremendous balancing act that so many women have faced: working from home or serving as essential workers, often while helping their children navigate virtual school and keeping their families healthy.

Habitat for Humanity has long recognized the critical role women play in their communities as well as their specific barriers to homeownership. That’s why Habitat’s Women Build program brings together future homeowners and dedicated volunteers to help women build a better future for their families and communities.

We invite you to meet four homeowners – Nilda, Christina, Ai and Yessica – and longtime volunteer Teri to learn more about the difference that Habitat and homeownership have made in their lives.

Reaching full potential

Nilda wanted nothing more than to build a healthy home for her family. Air quality issues in her apartment were causing her daughter, Ariana, to have chronic asthma attacks. The family’s apartment was also invaded by roaches and mice that came in from the basement. Ariana was constantly in the hospital, and the medical bills were piling up. “Every time I saw a roach or mice or something like that, it would just drive me crazy,” Nilda says. She tried everything to keep the pests away, but nothing worked.

Christina and her husband, Joe, wanted a healthy home for their family, too. Mushrooms grew in the ceiling of one of their rental homes, and it made their eldest children Joseph and Jozlyn sick. The family moved often, and they often found themselves living in an unhealthy home with issues like black mold.

Both Nilda and Christina knew having a safe and decent home would significantly improve their children’s health. Both women found their solution in Habitat.

Nilda reached out to the Habitat Greater Newburgh affiliate in New York and applied to become a homeowner. Although her first two applications weren’t approved, she worked diligently with support from Habitat to improve her finances. Her third application was approved, and Nilda found herself on the path to homeownership.

Nilda painting the door of her Habitat house.

Once Nilda and Ariana moved into their new home three years ago, Ariana’s asthma attacks stopped completely. “There were so many things that I had to do to be able to keep my house safe that I no longer have to do,” Nilda says. “It took away so many worries that I had, owning my own house.”

Eleven years ago, Christina contacted Rogue Valley Habitat in Oregon. While her home was under construction, she attended a how-to clinic at the local Lowe’s store to learn construction basics. Later, employees from the store’s volunteer program, known nationally as Lowe’s Heroes, showed up at the Women Build event at her home to help her paint. She says when they arrived it was like “seeing old friends.”

Christina's son Joseph in his graduation cap and gown.

Since moving into their Habitat home, Christina’s kids Joseph and Jozlyn have thrived and enjoy good health, which has allowed them the energy to focus on their studies. Joseph was valedictorian of his high school in 2021. “My kids don’t have to move around anymore,” says Christina. “There’s nothing in this house that’s going to make them sick. I know that they will reach their full potential by us having this house.”

Enough to save and invest

Yessica knew paying an affordable mortgage was the key to being able to provide a stable home for her daughters, Lourdes and Yaritza. They lived in a small trailer in an unsafe neighborhood in southeastern North Carolina. Yessica grew afraid for her family’s safety when there was a homicide nearby. She reached out to Habitat Goldsboro-Wayne to learn more about their homeownership program and applied.

Yessica and her daughters posing together.

“Before Habitat, I felt insecure,” Yessica says. “Insecure about not having enough money for the month to pay bills or to buy groceries.” In her new home, Yessica’s mortgage payment is less than what she once paid for rent, and not having to worry about being able to pay her bills has allowed her to focus on her career goals. She obtained certifications for a job as a computer numerical control machinist and has gotten her associate’s degree.

Like Yessica, Ai was able to invest in her education after moving into her Habitat home. “I remember at one time, all I wanted was a Habitat house for my kids,” Ai says. “I wanted a house where each of my kids would get their own room and a mortgage I could pay for.” That was eight years ago, when Ai and her two children were sharing a bedroom in her parents’ Wisconsin home.

The newly single mom had made the tough choice to move back in with her parents while she finished her college education. “Those years were really hard,” Ai says, but she believed getting her bachelor’s degree would pay off.

Ai posing by a tree in her graduation cap and gown.

Living in her Habitat home, the elementary school teacher has been able to go back to school and obtain her master’s degree in education. Having an affordable mortgage also allowed her to spend more quality time with her children because she didn’t have to worry about making ends meet every month to pay for her home. “I don’t think I would have been able to be the mom that I am now if I didn’t go through the Habitat program,” she says.

A safe place to shelter

As a registered nurse, Nilda knows that having a safe and decent home plays a critical role in keeping families healthy. She’s grateful to have a home where her family can spread out now that so much of their time is spent inside. “My children have their own space,” she says.

Even with taking every precaution, her son, Alexander, tested positive for COVID-19. Nilda quarantined him in the basement while her daughter, Ariana, stayed in her bedroom on the home’s second floor. “That was a scary moment. We were able to handle it well,” she says. “The house gave us that ability to maintain my son in a space where he was OK. He was isolated, but he didn’t feel like he was closed in.”

During the pandemic, Ai’s home has become a classroom. Brightly colored papers with messages like, “Be kind. Be respectful. Be safe,” hang on her walls. She taught kindergarten and first graders via a video conferencing platform while Angel and Kong attended college and high school virtually upstairs. Her youngest son, 4-year-old Bruce, bounded around the house visiting his family. “It’s been a safe haven for us, and we’ve been healthy,” Ai says of her home.

When Ai reflects on her journey to homeownership, she remembers one of her proudest moments working alongside volunteers to build her home during a Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat Women Build event. “I remember standing there, and I’m just looking at my house, looking at all the women that were working on it,” she says. “I felt so blessed to have all these people helping my kids and I get this house. That was a very happy moment for me.”

Working side by side

Yessica says it felt empowering to work with Women Build volunteers to raise the walls of her home. “I felt proud there were only women working that day because it shows that we can do it,” she says. “We’re capable of doing everything.”

Teri, a volunteer crew leader with Habitat Greater Los Angeles, agrees. Teri has volunteered for more than 12 years and enjoys seeing Women Build volunteers let loose and have fun while helping others.

Volunteer Teri on a Habitat build site wearing a pink hardhat.

As a crew leader, Teri greets volunteers and explains what jobs they’ll do to contribute to construction. “We explain how to hammer or drill a nail, but some people are afraid of certain things,” she says. That’s when Teri steps in to help. She encourages volunteers to give something new a try, and if they aren’t comfortable, she’s always happy to help them find something they love.

Full circle

Nilda, Christina, Ai and Yessica were all motivated by the same dream: having a home where their children could be healthy and safe and would thrive. They wanted to nurture their own goals, too, like going back to school and furthering their careers. By building safe and affordable homes with Habitat, these women also built a strong foundation to help them make their dreams a reality, and that’s exactly why Habitat continues to work with women across the country in pursuit of a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live.

Learn more about Women Build and find out how you can participate.

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Habitat home in spring with a bright yellow door and pink flowers in front.

The power of Women Build

Habitat House Design Contest: Building a solid foundation

By design, Habitat for Humanity homes provide a strong foundation for families to flourish. During our inaugural Habitat House Design Contest in 2020, generously sponsored by Simpson Strong-Tie, more than 100 Habitat affiliates submitted their plans for sustainable, resilient homes to help families in their communities thrive.

Illustration of black and white house plans.

By design, Habitat for Humanity homes provide a strong foundation for families to flourish.

That foundation begins with homes that are affordable, durable, healthy and easy to maintain for years to come. Habitat house plans are often uniquely crafted to meet the needs of individual communities, with local Habitats across the U.S. building homes inspired by local styles, climate and materials.

During our inaugural Habitat House Design Contest in 2020, generously sponsored by Simpson Strong-Tie, more than 100 Habitat affiliates submitted their plans for sustainable, resilient homes to help families in their communities thrive.

See which Habitat designs were selected as the best in affordable home design and construction:

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Best in Accessibility

When Katie and Dale needed an accessible home for their son, Anthony, Lakes Area Habitat answered the call. The Minnesota-based affiliate developed a plan for a single-level house with features including a roll-in shower and wide hallways for the family of three, who were living in a rental where the doorways were too small to fit Anthony’s wheelchair.

“Every time that Dale and Katie moved from room to room with Anthony in the place they were renting or tried to enter or leave their home, they had to lift him out of his wheelchair and transfer him to another chair,” says executive director Kevin Pelkey. Now, the family is thriving in a fully accessible home.

Best in Sustainability

Pioneer Valley Habitat knows that even small homes make a big difference. As part of their Big Enough Initiative, the affiliate developed a house plan for a 650-square-foot home that requires little energy to maintain, passing along savings on utilities to the homeowner.

“We were looking to build a small footprint house, which reduces the amount of material to use, which is very sustainable,” says executive director Megan McDonough. “Also, the smaller the house, the less square footage you have to heat, so that also helps with long-term affordability for the homeowner to operate the home, the initial cost to build it and the long-term impact on the planet.”

Best in Affordability

To help keep homes affordable in their city, where demand for homes is high and supply is low, Habitat Missoula developed a house plan that uses materials found in almost any region of the country without sacrificing design elements that make a house a home. “We tried to make sure that we had a good-quality design from a human level that took into consideration ways to try and save some dollars,” says executive director Heather Harp. “So there’s not a lot of architectural elements that add costs, they just add beauty at a reasonable price.” Those design details include opting for an uncovered porch and placing windows at the right locations to take advantage of sunlight during daytime hours.

Best in Resiliency

When an older couple donated land to Habitat Hillsborough County, the affiliate developed a plan for the property that would stand the test of the time — and a major storm. The house plan called for a metal roof designed to withstand 145-mph winds, steel-reinforced concrete block walls and water-resistant flooring. These features of the home not only help protect the homeowners, but also help reduce insurance costs.

“We’re in Florida. We’re particularly in a place susceptible to storms, increasing storms with climate change,” says chief operating officer Ron Spoor. “For us to ensure that our homeowners have a decent place to live, it compels us to ensure that our homes have a level of resiliency and sustainability that promotes long-term success.”

Best Multifamily

Multifamily developments are a go-to solution for Habitat Portland Region. “There’s a lot of need for housing and affordable housing in the city,” says project manager Melissa Robson. “We are trying to provide as many homes as possible in a way that makes the most sense for us in our communities.”

The plan for the affiliate’s multifamily project in southeast Portland features 40 homes, including six single-story homes for families who have accessibility needs.

Best Layout

When Evergreen Habitat found themselves with a narrow plot of land and a need to design a home for a family of six, they were excited by the challenge. “With that specific plan, we were designing for a very strange lot,” says construction manager Courtney Patterson. The affiliate members put their heads together to develop a linear home that features a long hallway and offers flexibility for adding additions or reorienting the house plan for future use.

Best Plan Set

At Habitat, house plans have to be clear enough for homeowners and volunteers to follow and intricate enough for subcontractors to understand how the home will be constructed. Habitat Coastal Fairfield County achieved both requirements with their plan set for a veteran’s home near Long Island Sound in Connecticut.

“When you have planned for Habitat homes, you are working with vendors and subcontractors who need enough specificity to know what they’re doing, and you’re also working with volunteers who need to be able to entertain what you’re looking at. Then you’re also working with families,” says chief executive officer Cathy Collins. “So it’s striking that balance of all the different people that we interact with when building homes.”

Best Construction Partnership

Partnerships with local organizations are integral to the success of Junction City/Harrisburg/Monroe Habitat  and their ability to partner with families in local communities to build safe and decent homes. A partnership with a nearby high school has helped students in woodshop class learn the value of giving back while building bathroom vanities and garage cabinets for Habitat homes.

“The key point is to show students the benefits of volunteering and give them the opportunity to see how helping others can really be a rewarding aspect of their lives,” says George Anderson, who has been a construction volunteer with the affiliate for 13 years.

Best Innovative Solution

When Habitat Seattle - King County had the opportunity to build homes in south Seattle, they got creative to serve more families. “The only way that we can develop properties in Seattle metro is by taking advantage of zoning allowances to increase density,” says Patrick Sullivan, director of real estate and development. The organization’s innovative approach to maximizing their density – and impact – transformed a plot of land where once one single-family home stood into 13 homes, lowering the cost of land per unit and increasing affordability.

Best Low Carbon Footprint

Designing eco-friendly homes is a top priority for Gunnison Valley Habitat. The affiliate developed a plan for an all-electric home with efficient appliances and solar panels that is projected to produce two and a half times the amount of energy it uses annually. The house plan calls for locally sourced materials that have a low environmental impact.

“I think that as stewards of God’s green earth, we should care about our environment, how we’re building the health of our environments, the people who are producing the materials, our volunteers who are using the material and our homeowners that are eventually living in the home,” says executive director Julianne Robinson. “We should think about all those things and build more eco-friendly.”

Best Equity and Inclusion Through Construction

When two high-rise buildings were brought down in the Sharswood neighborhood as part of the Philadelphia Housing Authority’s neighborhood transformation plan, a new opportunity to build an inclusive, mixed-income development blossomed in their place. The historically middle-class Black neighborhood of Sharswood had been one of the most under-resourced neighborhoods in the city since the 60s and was facing the pressure of gentrification by surrounding neighborhoods.

Through a partnership with the Philadelphia Housing Authority and a coalition of community partners, Habitat Philadelphia joined the effort to revitalize the neighborhood by designing a plan for 20 new affordable homes and 68 repairs to existing homes. “As all the boats are rising, you’ve got to have a boat to catch that tide,” says chief executive officer Corrine O’Connell. “Why not have this neighborhood be on the upswing, but allow and empower neighbors who have been there for 30 years to enjoy that upswing as well?”

The 2020 Affiliate Choice Award

Habitat Greenville County developed a house plan that can be adapted for a variety of homeowners with accessibility needs. Their plan features core dimensions that don’t change, even if the purpose of the room does. “If it ain’t broke, make it better” is the mantra of the affiliate according to president and CEO Monroe Free. “We believe in constantly reevaluating ourselves and looking for things that we can do better, so that we better serve our families.”

The 2020 Design of the Year

Santa Fe Habitat believes in building green and designing homes that reflect the cultural heritage of northern New Mexico and the Southwest. “We want to do our best to respect the environment, respect the community, and build what’s important to us and to our donors and in the community,” says executive director Kurt Krahn.

That’s why the affiliate developed a house plan that is energy-efficient, including using solar panels to power the home with clean and renewable energy and installing rain barrels on the roof to catch rainwater for later use in Santa Fe’s high desert environment. The home is located in a mixed-income neighborhood that utilizes a water treatment plant to recycle water back to the neighborhood for use in watering outdoor gardens and plants.

Best in Accessibility

When Katie and Dale needed an accessible home for their son, Anthony, Lakes Area Habitat answered the call. The Minnesota-based affiliate developed a plan for a single-level house with features including a roll-in shower and wide hallways for the family of three, who were living in a rental where the doorways were too small to fit Anthony’s wheelchair.

“Every time that Dale and Katie moved from room to room with Anthony in the place they were renting or tried to enter or leave their home, they had to lift him out of his wheelchair and transfer him to another chair,” says executive director Kevin Pelkey. Now, the family is thriving in a fully accessible home.

Best in Sustainability

Pioneer Valley Habitat knows that even small homes make a big difference. As part of their Big Enough Initiative, the affiliate developed a house plan for a 650-square-foot home that requires little energy to maintain, passing along savings on utilities to the homeowner.

“We were looking to build a small footprint house, which reduces the amount of material to use, which is very sustainable,” says executive director Megan McDonough. “Also, the smaller the house, the less square footage you have to heat, so that also helps with long-term affordability for the homeowner to operate the home, the initial cost to build it and the long-term impact on the planet.”

Best in Affordability

To help keep homes affordable in their city, where demand for homes is high and supply is low, Habitat Missoula developed a house plan that uses materials found in almost any region of the country without sacrificing design elements that make a house a home. “We tried to make sure that we had a good-quality design from a human level that took into consideration ways to try and save some dollars,” says executive director Heather Harp. “So there’s not a lot of architectural elements that add costs, they just add beauty at a reasonable price.” Those design details include opting for an uncovered porch and placing windows at the right locations to take advantage of sunlight during daytime hours.

Best in Resiliency

When an older couple donated land to Habitat Hillsborough County, the affiliate developed a plan for the property that would stand the test of the time — and a major storm. The house plan called for a metal roof designed to withstand 145-mph winds, steel-reinforced concrete block walls and water-resistant flooring. These features of the home not only help protect the homeowners, but also help reduce insurance costs.

“We’re in Florida. We’re particularly in a place susceptible to storms, increasing storms with climate change,” says chief operating officer Ron Spoor. “For us to ensure that our homeowners have a decent place to live, it compels us to ensure that our homes have a level of resiliency and sustainability that promotes long-term success.”

Best Multifamily

Multifamily developments are a go-to solution for Habitat Portland Region. “There’s a lot of need for housing and affordable housing in the city,” says project manager Melissa Robson. “We are trying to provide as many homes as possible in a way that makes the most sense for us in our communities.”

The plan for the affiliate’s multifamily project in southeast Portland features 40 homes, including six single-story homes for families who have accessibility needs.

Best Layout

When Evergreen Habitat found themselves with a narrow plot of land and a need to design a home for a family of six, they were excited by the challenge. “With that specific plan, we were designing for a very strange lot,” says construction manager Courtney Patterson. The affiliate members put their heads together to develop a linear home that features a long hallway and offers flexibility for adding additions or reorienting the house plan for future use.

Best Plan Set

At Habitat, house plans have to be clear enough for homeowners and volunteers to follow and intricate enough for subcontractors to understand how the home will be constructed. Habitat Coastal Fairfield County achieved both requirements with their plan set for a veteran’s home near Long Island Sound in Connecticut.

“When you have planned for Habitat homes, you are working with vendors and subcontractors who need enough specificity to know what they’re doing, and you’re also working with volunteers who need to be able to entertain what you’re looking at. Then you’re also working with families,” says chief executive officer Cathy Collins. “So it’s striking that balance of all the different people that we interact with when building homes.”

Best Construction Partnership

Partnerships with local organizations are integral to the success of Junction City/Harrisburg/Monroe Habitat  and their ability to partner with families in local communities to build safe and decent homes. A partnership with a nearby high school has helped students in woodshop class learn the value of giving back while building bathroom vanities and garage cabinets for Habitat homes.

“The key point is to show students the benefits of volunteering and give them the opportunity to see how helping others can really be a rewarding aspect of their lives,” says George Anderson, who has been a construction volunteer with the affiliate for 13 years.

Best Innovative Solution

When Habitat Seattle - King County had the opportunity to build homes in south Seattle, they got creative to serve more families. “The only way that we can develop properties in Seattle metro is by taking advantage of zoning allowances to increase density,” says Patrick Sullivan, director of real estate and development. The organization’s innovative approach to maximizing their density – and impact – transformed a plot of land where once one single-family home stood into 13 homes, lowering the cost of land per unit and increasing affordability.

Best Low Carbon Footprint

Designing eco-friendly homes is a top priority for Gunnison Valley Habitat. The affiliate developed a plan for an all-electric home with efficient appliances and solar panels that is projected to produce two and a half times the amount of energy it uses annually. The house plan calls for locally sourced materials that have a low environmental impact.

“I think that as stewards of God’s green earth, we should care about our environment, how we’re building the health of our environments, the people who are producing the materials, our volunteers who are using the material and our homeowners that are eventually living in the home,” says executive director Julianne Robinson. “We should think about all those things and build more eco-friendly.”

Best Equity and Inclusion Through Construction

When two high-rise buildings were brought down in the Sharswood neighborhood as part of the Philadelphia Housing Authority’s neighborhood transformation plan, a new opportunity to build an inclusive, mixed-income development blossomed in their place. The historically middle-class Black neighborhood of Sharswood had been one of the most under-resourced neighborhoods in the city since the 60s and was facing the pressure of gentrification by surrounding neighborhoods.

Through a partnership with the Philadelphia Housing Authority and a coalition of community partners, Habitat Philadelphia joined the effort to revitalize the neighborhood by designing a plan for 20 new affordable homes and 68 repairs to existing homes. “As all the boats are rising, you’ve got to have a boat to catch that tide,” says chief executive officer Corrine O’Connell. “Why not have this neighborhood be on the upswing, but allow and empower neighbors who have been there for 30 years to enjoy that upswing as well?”

The 2020 Affiliate Choice Award

Habitat Greenville County developed a house plan that can be adapted for a variety of homeowners with accessibility needs. Their plan features core dimensions that don’t change, even if the purpose of the room does. “If it ain’t broke, make it better” is the mantra of the affiliate according to president and CEO Monroe Free. “We believe in constantly reevaluating ourselves and looking for things that we can do better, so that we better serve our families.”

The 2020 Design of the Year

Santa Fe Habitat believes in building green and designing homes that reflect the cultural heritage of northern New Mexico and the Southwest. “We want to do our best to respect the environment, respect the community, and build what’s important to us and to our donors and in the community,” says executive director Kurt Krahn.

That’s why the affiliate developed a house plan that is energy-efficient, including using solar panels to power the home with clean and renewable energy and installing rain barrels on the roof to catch rainwater for later use in Santa Fe’s high desert environment. The home is located in a mixed-income neighborhood that utilizes a water treatment plant to recycle water back to the neighborhood for use in watering outdoor gardens and plants.

Habitat House design contest

Habitat houses: Recognizing best-in-class designs

From building resilient, hurricane-proof homes in Florida to prototyping with a 3D-printed home in Virginia, Habitat affiliates in the U.S. seek innovative solutions to local, pressing needs. The 2021 Habitat House Design Contest, generously sponsored for a second year by Simpson Strong-Tie, invited local affiliates to submit their home designs across a range of categories, including equity, multifamily, sustainability and many more. 

Learn more
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Illustration: Black and white drawing of 10 house plans of varying dimensions.

Habitat House Design Contest: Building a solid foundation

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