The Home Builders Care Foundation (HBCF) is off to another productive year of service to our community. By continuing to collaborate with our client non-profit organizations, HBCF aims to positively impact the lives of some of our neediest citizens and enable them to live in dignity. Since January 2003, HBCF has pledged its assistance to the following shelter-related projects:
Dorothy Day Place - Montgomery County
The Dorothy Day Place, located in Rockville, provides transitional shelter and services for 20 homeless single women who may live in the home for up to two years. The women in the shelter come from abusive situations, have been evicted, can no longer live with relatives and may or may not have substance abuse or mental health issues. The four bathrooms in the shelter need immediate major plumbing repairs and renovation. Of particular concern is the handicap-accessible shower, where the bottom broke through to the floor below, making the shower totally unusable. In another bathroom, pipes under the floor are leaking, creating pools of water on the floor when walked upon.
A cost estimate for the needed work is near $41,000. At MNCBIA's January dinner meeting, HBCF received several pledged in-kind and financial contributions to help offset the cost of repairs to the bathrooms. Thanks to donated materials and a low-cost bid from a plumbing contractor, cash expenses are expected to amount to under $20,000. Work is expected to be completed in May.
Gospel Rescue Ministries - Washington DC
Gospel Rescue Ministries (GRM) operates one Washington DC's largest shelters for homeless men. The mission provides lodging facilities for over 100 homeless men each night, in addition to a number of other social service programs. The men who utilize the shelter come directly from the hard life of the streets, and may or may not have substance abuse or mental health issues. GRM's building is 65-years-old and is in dire need of repairs and upgrades. Interior renovations are estimated to cost $107,000. Most of the work is needed in the 3rd floor Samaritan Ministry Dormitory, which houses up to 60 transient men, who can stay for up to 90 days. Beds, lockers, showers and toilets are provided, however, bathroom facilities are broken-down, the ventilation and lighting are poor, and the floors are primarily cold concrete.
Pre-work on the project is now getting underway, with construction expected to commence before summer. Because of the enormous scope of work involved in the renovation, a number of different trades are needed for the project. HBCF expects to have to pay for at least half of the costs for the project. Money raised through the 2002 Help the Homeless Walkathon will be spent on the project, however, HBCF is still seeking additional funding and other contributions of material and labor to leverage our resources.
New Start LLC - Washington DC
Home Builders Care Foundation recently established the New Start LLC, a DC-based company, for the purpose of transforming vacant units and/or lots in the city into new homeownership opportunities for low-income families. The HBCF wholly-owned subsidiary, led by Marty Poretsky, Poretsky Building Group, and Jim Kettler, Kettler Brothers Homes LLC, is expected to take clean title to an initial three units from the Government of the District of Columbia before summer.
In partnership with the Home Builders Institute (HBI), the workforce development arm of NAHB, and the Living Classrooms Foundation/DC, the units will be developed into affordable housing by Potomac Job Corps students enrolled in HBI's construction training program. MNCBIA members will be invited to provide on-site leadership and direction to the projects, with the hopes of providing other possible employment opportunities to trainees.
Upon completion of the units, they will be sold to qualified selected families who have received home ownership training in conjunction with Fannie Mae's DC partnership office. Sales proceeds, after expenses, will be used to repeat the development process.
Rebuilding Together with Christmas in April- all jurisdictions of MNCBIA
For over ten years, HBCF has adopted homes and contributed to the Rebuilding Together with Christmas in April programs throughout the MNCBIA area. This year, homes in Gaithersburg and Bowie have been adopted by HBCF, led by our board members from Washington Homes and Craftstar Homes respectively. In Bowie, the homeowner is a 56-year-old man who suffers from advanced ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease. A team will install a wheelchair-accessible shower, as he is no longer able to use the bathtub safely. In Gaithersburg, the homeowner is a 55-year old grandmother who cares for her 13-year old, disabled granddaughter, in addition to other grandchildren. An electric chair lift and additional grab bars need to be installed and medicine cabinets replaced. In addition to these homes, HBCF has made financial contributions to support several other Christmas in April rebuilding projects in the District of Columbia and the counties of Calvert, Charles and St. Mary's in Maryland.
Silver Spring Interfaith Housing Coalition - Montgomery County
SSIHC is a non-profit organization of local congregations working together to provide housing opportunities for low-income families and individuals. For over twelve years, SSIHC has supported housing experience in selecting residents, recruiting and training mentors, and providing a mix of community services. Later this season, HBCF will provide in-kind assistance to one of their current renovation projects, the Good Shepherd Cottage, in the form of professional drywall installation throughout the home.
The Center for Life Enrichment - St. Mary's County
The Center for Life Enrichment (CLE) in Hollywood, MD is the primary provider of programs and support services for individuals with disabilities in St. Mary's County. Established in 1961 as a day care program for children with mental retardation, CLE now services over 130 individuals with developmental disabilities in their facility, providing day habilitation and vocational programs in addition to other support services. The busy non-profit requested assistance for the installation of a new fence and two handicapped accessible walkways in their outdoor recreation area. A team led by Hailey Development LC will undertake the project. The new fence will provide a safe and secure area for clients to increase their much-desired independence.
Transitional Housing Corporation - Washington DC
In mid-2002, HBCF pledged its support to the Transitional Housing Corporation's (THC) Partner Arms II project. One year later, the $1.4 million dollar effort to rehabilitate an abandoned 13-unit apartment complex on Georgia Avenue in Washington, DC is complete. The building will provide transitional apartments for formerly homeless families participating in THC's programs. In order to complete the project, THC sought assistance from a number of organizations, including the Government of the District of Columbia, faith-based organizations, community foundations and HBCF.
One of THC's major tasks was to replace all flooring throughout the building. With HBCF assistance, THC was able to defray about half the cost of installing new carpet and tiles through an HBCF-initiated reduced-cost bid and a considerable financial contribution.
Home Builders Care Foundation is grateful to the many members of MNCBIA who have continuously demonstrated their willingness to help in any way they can with the shelter-related projects undertaken by HBCF. We certainly could not do what we do without your ongoing assistance. For more information concerning any of HBCF's projects, please call Patti Kane at (301) 445-5410 or email pkane@mncbia.org. All assistance is greatly appreciated!
