We received the building permit to start construction of two new homes this week, so it seems that our building hiatus is about to end. We’ve kept plenty busy serving our community in other ways, while we have not forgotten that our mission is to build safe, affordable homes.
Getting back to building has been a process…when I arrived we had several finished homes that had not yet found their forever families. This was mostly due to the pandemic, and also partly due to the escalating issues that lower wage workers face in our county, region and country. There’s an old saying that it’s very expensive to be poor. There is deep truth to that, to our shame.
The rising cost of construction and ever increasing local property taxes have increased the difficulty in finding families who can afford even a deeply subsidized home. (Habitat sells affordable homes, we do not give them away.) We have been working to find ways to create fairer taxation of our homes, to decrease the burden on prospective families. We are making progress on this, thanks to a growing coalition of NY Habitat affiliates, state representatives and local leaders of other organizations.
Habitat for Humanity homes are built by volunteers, to varying degrees. This week was national volunteer week and we celebrated those whose hands make light work of our daunting task.
I have a confession to make: I’ve never built a house before. I’m the head of a small affordable home developer and I couldn’t build a birdhouse, much less a safe, modern family abode.
Fortunately, we gotta a guy..and a gal…and a whole lot more of them who can. And do.
Our community is truly blessed by those who serve others. I am grateful for the generosity of spirit in our little corner of the world, which gives me hope when so much of the macro news seems so bleak.
Former President Jimmy Carter is probably the most famous Habitat volunteer. He and Rosalynn have led build projects for decades. His humble generosity and life of service post-presidency has caused a reconsideration of his tenure and a greater appreciation of the humanity he exhibits. As his life of service winds down, he was much on our minds this week.
President Carter exemplifies gentle, progressive humanity at work. We need more of that.
The good news: we are all a work in progress, so to speak, and there’s always an opportunity to build. Let’s build together.
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice.
meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.
Be grateful for whatever comes.
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
Rumi