Trinity Habitat for Humanity has started its first house with volunteers since this spring. The chapter based in Fort Worth says it has spent about $100,000 on subcontractors in order to keep building during restrictions forced by the pandemic.
"That's them simply doing the job the volunteers normally do for us, so, obviously, getting the volunteers back means we don't have to keep paying that type of money," says Trinity Habitat CEO Gage Yager. "The volunteers want to be out. It's part of the Habitat experience. It's a blessing for them, and it's certainly a blessing for us and the family."
Volunteers from Fort Worth-based Alcon have started work on a home that will go into the Como neighborhood. Alcon Executive Vice President Rick Weisbarth says volunteers from the company have been working with Habitat for Humanity for 20 years.
"Building with Habitat has done a tremendous amount for the Fort Worth area," he says. "It has built up neighborhoods, it has helped families build better lives."
This year, Yager says Trinity Habitat will build 40 homes and repair 105 others. Those, he says, will then be occupied with families who will pay property taxes.
The house is being built for Audra Sapp.
"If you would have told me 12 years ago, when I moved back to Fort Worth with a duffel bag and a baby, this was going to be my life, this is so surreal," she says.
Sapp is working alongside the volunteers to build the house.
"It's so amazing to see people come alongside me," she says. "This was a dream of mine for a long time. Sometimes you keep your dreams to yourself because you're afraid, but now I get to share with the volunteers."
In addition to building and remodeling homes, Yager says some people who seek help from Habitat for Humanity will receive financial counseling and go through workshops to buy homes on their own.