UW-Whitewater chapter of Habitat for Humanity set to begin work on home
Released: October 17, 2003
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity, together with its Walworth County chapter affiliate, is sponsoring its first home-building project in 15 years of existence.
A ground-breaking ceremony honoring the occasion took place on Sunday, Sept. 28, in Delavan at what will be the future site of the home. Guests included UW-Whitewater Habitat for Humanity chapter president Mathew Schweiger and advisors Linda Long and Brian Zanin, UW-Whitewater Assistant Chancellor for Student Affairs Barbara Jones and the Brittain family, the future homeowners.
According to Zanin, one of the main goals of Habitat for Humanity is to raise money that will ultimately result in the building of affordable housing in and around the Whitewater area. “Over the past 15 years, everything has finally come together,” he said. “Through fund raising and donations, our students have been able to raise enough money to build our first sponsored home in Delavan.”
The average cost to build a home in the United States is $45,000. UW-Whitewater’s student chapter met that goal two years ago and has since been waiting to find a suitable site.
“The ground-breaking ceremony was a celebration of our chapter’s hard work and dedication,” said Schweiger. “I really hope that this home becomes an inspiration to build more homes in the near future.”
It will take approximately six months to build the home with volunteer labor and donated materials. UW-Whitewater faculty, staff, students, members from the Walworth County affiliate and other volunteers will take part in the home-building process. The future homeowners will also contribute around 250 “sweat equity hours” as a requirement of receiving the house.
“We’re very excited and grateful to Habitat for Humanity and the students of UW-Whitewater for making our dream of having a new home finally a reality,” said Kathy Brittain.
- Melissa DiMotto,dimottom@uww.edu
