In Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver’s 34 years, they’ve never been able to finish building 11 homes in a week. But they’ve also never hosted a former president.
For the first time, Habitat for Humanity’s local chapter will be part of the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project
from Oct. 6-11. The former president and first lady will be in Denver working on homes Oct. 9. They will be accompanied on their trip by country music stars Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood.
“This is very unique for us to be able to build 11 homes in a very short period of time and to bring this kind of attention to the great work we’re doing,” said Heather Lafferty, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver.
Approximately 2,000 volunteers will work on 11 homes near 51st Avenue and Sherman Street in the Globeville neighborhood.
The homes include five attached residences and two triplexes that will be in various states of completion to start the week.
This will be the second set of homes completed in the area.
“We’ve been really focused on Globeville as a neighborhood that has incredible potential,” Lafferty said.
Northglenn resident Georgette Assiongbon will own one of the five attached houses upon completion and said she is grateful for all the work being done.
“It’s really nice for them to volunteer, and I think they are doing a great job,” she said.
Assiongbon had to meet the criteria to qualify for a Habitat home, which includes putting in 200 hours of equity labor and the ability to pay for the home. She said that with Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver’s help, she will save about $300 per month on living costs.
This is the 30th year of the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project and the first time they have visited Denver.
For a list of the week’s events, visit habitatmetrodenver.org.
Joe Vaccarelli: 303-954-2396, jvaccarelli@denverpost.com or twitter.com/joe_vacc
