Home for the Holidays

by Jonas Raab

Just in time for Thanksgiving, a needy Philadelphia family will receive a newly renovated home during a Tuesday ceremony in East Parkside. Though the recipients have already been selected, organizers aren't announcing the family's identity until next week.

The construction, which was completed in fewer than 80 days (a remarkable turnaround time for charitable extreme home makeovers), was spearheaded by Partnership Build, a community-service collaboration between the Building Industry Association of Philadelphia (BIA), Delaware Valley Habitat for Humanity and the Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council. The house, located in the 4200 block of Leidy Avenue, was sold to Habitat for Humanity by the City for $1.

More than 50 businesses donated to the project more than $50,000 worth of materials, supplies, labor and services. Since its Labor Day groundbreaking, the partnership has also received more than $35,000 in cash donations.

The property had been neglected and vandalized to the point of needing to be entirely rebuilt from basement to roof, according to the BIA. Carpenters, sheet- metal workers, painters and others helped in the speedy renovation process by installing new walls, plumbing lines, electrical wiring, and heating and air conditioning systems. Over the next several days, volunteers will be putting on the finishing touches. Among the final improvements is adding new sidewalks.

This particular property was chosen in part for its proximity to Leidy Elementary School, and because the area around the house is experiencing a revitalization.

"Philadelphia's building industry has been generous beyond belief in its support of Partnership Build," said BIA President Lawrence Rust.

Organizers expect Mayor John Street and City Councilwoman Jannie L. Blackwell will be on hand to welcome the recipients home Tuesday.

Habitat chose the family from a large pool of applicants found through word of mouth and recruiting in low-income areas. In order to be eligible, the head of the household or family guardian had to complete 400 hours of hard labor on a Habitat project. (It's what Habitat refers to as "sweat equity.") The family also had to demonstrate a specific need for housing, such as overcrowding, and must have an income that is at least 25 percent of the median income for the area where the house is located.