In a news story released on January 4, 2009, residents of Fairway Oaks, a Habitat for Humanity community built in Florida, are complaining that their homes are falling apart.  Fairway Oaks was built on a recovered landfill by 10,000 volunteers, including former President Jimmy Carter, in a record 17-day "blitz build" organized by Habitat for Humanity International. I am commenting today, not on what is happening in Florida, but rather on the quality of the homes being built here by Bend Area Habitat for Humanity.  We take pride in building quality, affordable homes for our families based on the following process. 

First, though our homes are built primarily by volunteers, Bend Area Habitat for Humanity has a professional construction team that supervises the building and work side by side with our volunteers to assure the quality of their work.

Second, Bend Area Habitat for Humanity builds to a Northwest Energy Star Standard and are Earth Advantage Certified. This certification means that Bend Area Habitat for Humanity homes are built to the higher "green" standards that account for a better quality, more efficent home.

Lastly, Bend Area Habitat for Humanity works with the City of Bend to be sure that all local standards are being met and that the homes reflect the excellence that Bend has become known for in its development.

I encourage everyone to go visit our current building project on Blakely Road (where it intersects with Badger Road in SW Bend) and ask for a tour of the homes being built.  You will be reassured at the quality of the homes that Bend Area Habitat for Humanity builds.

Happy New Year 

David Love - Executive Director