Home builders kickoff a week-long blitz build with Habitat for Humanity

ATLANTA, June 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Building industry professionals in 24 states and in 63 communities across the U.S. are lending their construction skills to Habitat for Humanity to help build, renovate and repair more than 200 homes through the Home Builders Blitz.

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"We are excited to partner with builders and engage them in our work to help families in need of affordable housing," said Jonathan Reckford, Habitat for Humanity International CEO. "By sharing their talents and skills with us, we are able to increase our capacity to help transform communities. We thank the builders for their commitment and dedication to making Home Builders Blitz 2012 a success."

Habitat's Home Builders Blitz is a partnership between Habitat affiliates and the building community to help create decent and affordable homes. Builders and Habitat affiliates work closely to organize all aspects of building, including securing subcontractors and suppliers, fundraising and seeking donations of materials. Builders participating in the program this year will work with more than 80 Habitat affiliates to build rehabilitate or repair a total of 204 homes.

Kicking off in Memphis, Tenn., Steve Thomas, the Emmy Award-winning former host of This Old House and Renovation Nation, will help to raise awareness and will travel to Home Builders Blitz work sites to discuss how building professionals are taking an active role in helping to address the affordable housing needs of their communities.

"I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to join home builders who are helping to build more than 200 Habitat homes in 2012," said Thomas. "With their help and support, Habitat will be able to make affordable housing a reality with even more families this year. The expertise and skill these home building professionals bring to the table is a welcome addition to Habitat's efforts to build affordable housing."

Habitat launched its first national Home Builders Blitz week in 2006, four years after Habitat for Humanity Wake County (N.C.) and local builder Tom Gipson recruited 12 home builders to donate their time to each build a house in five days. A second national blitz build event with professional builders was held in 2008. To date, 862 homes have been constructed under the initiative.

"Habitat's mission is a natural fit for home builders trying to give back to the communities in which they build," said Gipson. "By coming together for this common cause, we can help build strong, stable homes in partnership with families in search of a safe place to live."

Habitat for Humanity would like to thank the building professionals and the following sponsors for their help in making this year's Home Builders Blitz possible: Cree; The Dow Chemical Company; The Elizabeth Anton Habitat for Humanity Fund; GAF; Hunter Douglas; Larson; Lowe's; Masco; Royal Building Products; Schneider Electric; the Tapco Group; Toto; Valspar; the Whirlpool Corporation and Yale Locks & Hardware. The National Association of Home Builders supports the voluntary participation of its members in this year's Home Builders Blitz.

"The members of the National Association of Home Builders are committed to helping families achieve the American dream of homeownership," said Barry Rutenberg, NAHB chairman of the board and a home builder from Gainesville, Fla. "The hundreds of NAHB members who are stepping away from their businesses to support their communities and build these homes are honored to be a part of Habitat's 2012 Home Builders Blitz."

About Habitat for Humanity International

Habitat for Humanity International is a global nonprofit Christian housing organization that seeks to put God's love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope. Since 1976, Habitat has served more than 500,000 families by welcoming people of all races, religions and nationalities to construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. For more information, to donate or to volunteer, please visit www.habitat.org, or follow us at www.facebook.com/habitat or at www.twitter.com/habitat_org or join Habitat's blog community at www.habitat.org/blog.

SOURCE Habitat for Humanity International