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Willis Homes Honored for Rebuilding Homeless Shelter
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John Willis Homes and its trade partners donated 100% of the costs to renovate a townhouse for HomeStretch, a nonprofit human services organization that shelters homeless families in the Atlanta area. |
John Willis Homes of Duluth, Ga. was awarded the Silver 2007 Builder Achievement Award for Outstanding Community Service from the National Housing Endowment at the International Builders’ Show last month for remodeling transitional housing for Atlanta-area homeless families.
Willis Homes remodeled a townhouse for HomeStretch, a nonprofit human services organization that provides temporary housing for homeless families with young children.
“We were able to get the total cost donated,” said John Willis, owner of Willis Homes. “It was basically a joint venture between our company and our suppliers.”
Willis Homes provided extensive rehabilitation to the townhouse — new floors, upgraded bathrooms, a renovated kitchen, improved wiring and plumbing, new closet doors, fresh paint and more — according to Ann Carey, executive director of HomeAid Atlanta, a local chapter of HomeAid America, which works in partnership with the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association.
HomeAid Atlanta directed the renovation. Participating Willis staff and suppliers donated 100% of the costs.
The remodeled townhouse is one of 27 housing shelters operated by HomeStretch, according to Nancy Coveny, executive director of the Roswell, Ga.-based nonprofit. HomeStretch currently provides temporary housing for 21 families — 100 people, including children.
“We’re trying to lead the families back to self-sufficiency,” says Coveny.
In addition to temporary housing, HomeStretch provides its residents with counseling and skills to help then live independently — including basic family budgeting, proper nutrition, car maintenance, how to buy a home and more, Coveny says.
Families pay minimal rent and no utilities while living in HomeStretch homes, Coveny said, but they are required to pay down their outstanding debts, improve their credit rating and save money, some of which can be used as a downpayment for a Habitat for Humanity home.
According to Coveny, studies of HomeStretch's effectiveness indicate that families who have completed the program are living in “some sort of permanent housing” a year later, including homes that many of the families eventually own.
“It’s a great continuance of care,” said Carey of HomeAid Atlanta, while noting that Willis Homes renovated the townhouse just in time.
“Homelessness is growing, especially with the way the economy is now,” said Cary. “We’re seeing more and more families who are homeless, particularly women with children, and we’re seeing more women who are heads of households having a tough time finding housing in Atlanta.”
The renovation was a success in part because John Willis “has been phenomenal and has a great reputation,” Cary added. “His trade partners love him. When he asks for help, his trade partners always come through.”
The renovation was part of John Willis’s personal five-year commitment to HomeAid Atlanta. He was a founding board member, served as the organization’s president and continues to serve on its board.
Willis also recruited his staff to volunteer at and sell tickets for last year’s Project Playhouse, an annual fundraiser for HomeAid Atlanta. His staff sold $5,000 worth of tickets and he sold an additional $5,000 in sponsorships for the event.
Willis also led the organizing committee in 2004 that launched the annual event and in 2005 built a playhouse valued at $17,000.
In honor of winning the silver builder achievement award, John Willis Homes received a $5,000 donation from the endowment to give to the charity of its choice, HomeAid Atlanta.
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John Willis (far left), owner of John Willis Homes, led the organizing committee that launched Project Playhouse, HomeAid Atlanta’s signature fundraising event. The playhouse was built in 2005. |
Seven other builders were honored with Builder Achievement awards during a presentation at the builders' show last month.
The awards were established through a grant to the endowment by Isaac Heimbinder, chairman of Rockville, Md.-based BuildTopia, a provider of Web-based construction management software for home builders, and his wife Sheila.
For more information about the awards, e-mail Gwyn Donohue at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8447.
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