Wall Raising Kicks-Off Habitat for Humanity Project in Dearborn

"1, 2, 3 ... push!"

That was the command given to dozens of volunteers working with Habitat for Humanity Detroit during the official kick-off ceremony for the nonprofit's latest construction project in Dearborn.

City, and county officials, along with local residents, were among those participating in the Wednesday morning "wall raising" ceremony on Neckel Street. Through a partnership with Habitat, Wayne County and the Arab Community Center for Economic & Social Services (ACCESS), the city is aiming to build 12 homes on the city’s east side for working families, with a focus on veterans and victims of domestic violence.

"This is a great opportunity for our clients," said Brigitte Fawaz-Anouti, director of social services for ACCESS. "We normally provide intervention and prevention services for people who may be displaced, but through Habitat for Humanity, we can identify people and actually help them become homeowners. It's the American dream."

"Because of the ongoing support from the city and county, we're able to provide a valuable service to our families," Fawaz-Anouti said.

The homes are being built from funds the city obtained from a grant through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, and a Wayne County redevelopment grant.

Mayor John B. O'Reilly, Jr. said bringing Habitat to Dearborn has been a personal goal for the past three years. Since 2007, the city of Dearborn has bought roughly 214 substandard homes at an average of $18,000 for the house and the property, he said. The city tore down the houses to clear the land for new homes.

"Our goal was to build some new homes and to give our residents some ideas of what we can do in the older neighborhoods with the right size parcel of land," O'Reilly said. "These homes will add value to the neighborhood and they will be places people will be happy to live in."

Vincent Tilford, executive director of Habitat Detroit, said the project is the first time in 26 years that Habitat will branch outside of Detroit. Applicants chosen for each of the 12 homes must contribute 350 hours of volunteer service time, as well as demonstrate the ability to pay on an interest-free mortgage.

"Habitat is not a giveaway program," he said.

One of those applicants is Algina Johnson, who will receive one of the first homes built in the city.

Johnson said she received a phone call on May 24 to inform her that her application for the program was accepted.

"I was elated," she said. "I was so excited that my family and I would be able to have a home of our own. Home ownership is very important to me and my son."

Opportunities to volunteer
Tilford said volunteers are still needed to work on several homes in Dearborn.

Volunteers must sign up at habitatdetroit.org. To check when volunteer opportunities are available, users must create an account and register for specific times on the Habitat Detroit calendar. Once construction starts, 10 to 15 volunteers are needed per day for construction, which runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Volunteers can assist with construction, landscaping, painting, carpentry, and other tasks.

"We also need people to run our First Aid station and provide food for the volunteers," Tilford said.

John Alstetter, 89, a resident of Henry Ford Village, has been volunteering with Habitat for Humanity for the past 15 years, and said he is looking forward to lending his skills on the Dearborn homes.

"Once they have the drywall up, I will help out with the painting and anything else that doesn't require a professional contractor to complete," he said.

Alstetter said he has worked on dozens of Habitat homes and helped rehabilitate 40 other homes around southeast Michigan.

Volunteers must be at least 14 to volunteer, and at least 16 to help with construction. Children ages 16 and 17 must be accompanied by a parent or adult to work on the construction site. All tools and training will be provided.