Business leaders donate time, construction skills to house-building effort
First Independent Bank CEO and Chairman of the Board Bill Firstenburg joined other business leaders on Thursday to help Vancouver-based Evergreen Habitat For Humanity further its mission to provide low-income housing for Clark County residents.
The "CEO Build" initiative, EHFH's first, will clear the way for seven homes to be built by Habitat For Humanity at the Patten Park subdivision on N.E. 98th Ave. in Orchards.
"We appreciate these business leaders from our community taking time out of their demanding schedules and inspiring volunteerism to help us eliminate substandard housing for Clark County residents," said Kristina Aitchison, executive director of EHFH.
The idea for this year's CEO Build began with Firstenburg, who invited fellow business leaders, such as Runyan Jewelers founder Steve Runyan, Prestige Development president and CEO Elie Kasab, Jerry Nutter of Nutter Corp. and Robertson Olson Construction's Matt Olson, to donate their time and construction know-how to launch EHFH's building season.
Participants worked on the water migration system for two houses on the property, as well as prepping the area for the site's first inspection. EHFH is currently in the process of building homes for two families this year, with a total of seven homes ultimately scheduled for the site, located just off Covington Road.
Firstenburg said he viewed the effort as a way to assist needy families with a "hand up" rather than a hand-out. "Businesses in this town benefit from the support of those who live here, so it stands to reason we would all strive to give back in ways that strengthen this community," Firstenburg said.
A combination of Clark County's persistent double-digit unemployment rate, high foreclosure rates and spiraling healthcare costs has resulted in a continued elevated demand for low-cost housing in the region. According to Aitchison, 120 people attended EHFH's homeowners' orientation sessions in 2009.
Thursday's initiative was part of Habitat For Humanity's "Team Build" program, which allows co-workers to build a home during an entire workday while under the supervision of a professional construction manager. The program aims to teach employees to communicate more effectively, establish trust and foster a team-spirit while giving back to the community.
Since its inception in 1991, EHFH has built 19 homes for low-income Clark County housing applicants – a figure which does not include the two homes planned for the Patten Park subdivision. According to EHFH, homes are sold at no profit with a zero-percent interest mortgage, provided the partner family completes their "sweat equity" hours.
Founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller, Habitat For Humanity is a faith-based organization with a stated mission of helping to build and rehabilitate "simple, decent houses" with the help of homeowner partner families.
Firstenburg, who earlier this year ceded control of day-to-day operations at First Independent to his wife, president Jeanne
Firstenburg, cast his involve-ment in EHFH programs as part of a commitment to healthy communities through increased home ownership.
"Owning a home serves to enhance family values, create responsibility and stabilize future generations with a sense of belonging," he said.
According to Aitchison, EHFH will start the application process for additional families in the fall for the remaining houses in the Patten Park subdivision, with the final selection scheduled to be made in January 2011.
