In only six days, the 2014 Jacksonville Home Builders Blitz – the largest of its kind in the United States – brought a significant, positive change to the lives of 50 families in the historic neighborhood of New Town.
With the support of more than 1,500 volunteers and 30 private homebuilders and subcontractors, HabiJax, the local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity, and NEFBA joined forces once again to build 25 new homes in just six days.
As if that’s not remarkable in itself, NEFBA’s charitable arm, Builders Care, renovated an additional 25 homes during the week-long event June 9-14 in New Town.
“We are excited to partner with NEFBA and Builders Care and to have the opportunity to serve 50 families this year,” HabiJax President and CEO Mary Kay O’Rourke said.
HabiJax, NEFBA and Builders Care along with industry, civic and community leaders celebrated the 2014 Home Builders Blitz with a kickoff event in New Town.
Special guests included Larry Gluth Sr., vice president of U.S and Canada Habitat for Humanity; Rick Judson, immediate past chairman of the board, National Association of Home Builders; and, television personality Steve Thomas, former host of “This Old House.”
“The Home Builders Blitz provides the opportunity to give back and help make a difference in the lives of these families,” NEFBA Executive Director Corey Deal said. “Providing housing is our mission, and we see this as the best use of our talent and resources.”
NEFBA committed to build 25 new homes in partnership with HabiJax during the Builders Blitz and to renovate 25 homes with the participation of members and associates: A Crown Roofing, All Homes, BeeTree Homes, Bourré Construction Group, Clay Builders Council of NEFBA, Corner Lot Custom Homes, Dennis Homes, DR DreamHomes, Ewing Real Estate, Generation Homes, HabiJax Team, ICI Homes, KB Home Jacksonville, Landon Homes, LandSouth Construction, MicroTech Solutions, Morales Construction Company, New Leaf Construction, Paul Davis Restoration of North Florida, Providence Homes, Richmond American Homes, Rotary of South Jacksonville, St. Johns Builders Council of NEFBA, Sport Nobles Construction, Toll Brothers and the University of North Florida Construction Management team.
“We are excited to be involved in this wonderful event, making a difference in the living conditions of New Town residents,” Builders Care Executive Director Matt Wilford said. “Whether building new homes through HabiJax or renovating existing housing stock, NEFBA and Builders Care are privileged to be part of the effort to improve the lives of Jacksonville’s citizens.”
The New Town Success Zone is a partnership of public and private organizations that are developing a continuum of services to help children and their families living in the New Town neighborhood achieve the goals of healthy development, academic success and well-being of the neighborhood’s children.