KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Kalamazoo Valley Habitat for Humanity’s 210th homeowner family will dedicate their new home on Wednesday, August 28th. The celebration will take place at 514 Wallace St. Kalamazoo MI 49048. The event will take place from 6:00-7:00pm with the dedication taking place at 6:30pm and is open to the public.
The house was built in part by Education for Employment (EFE) students during the 2018-19 school year as part of the EFE Construction Trades program. There were also more than 200 Habitat for Humanity volunteers that contributed time and talent to this project, including Habitat’s regular Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday crews. Local companies and organizations such as Kalamazoo College Athletics, Bronson Methodist Hospital, Pfizer, Eaton and many more, all volunteered their time and energy to help others in our community!
The three bedroom, one bath home was built using advanced construction techniques, added insulation, upgraded windows, and efficient appliances. This creates a comfortable, healthy, durable home for the family that is affordable to maintain and operate. While there is a small increase in cost to build to these efficiency standards, the family can expect to save many thousands of dollars in energy costs over the next 30 years. A no-step entry, wider doors and hallways, and a larger bath were also installed that can accommodate those with disabilities visiting or living in the home.
The house will be purchased by a qualified Habitat home buyer who has contributed more than 300 volunteer “sweat equity” hours to help build this home and the homes of fellow Kalamazoo Valley Habitat for Humanity homeowners. Habitat for Humanity makes no profit on the sales of its homes and provides a very affordable mortgage. The future homeowner also completed more than 30 hours of MSHDA-approved financial literacy and personal financial management classes at Kalamazoo Neighborhood Housing Services. They also completed more than 27 hours of homeowner maintenance training provided by Community Homework’s in partnership with Habitat for Humanity.
