After completing my BArch this past May I joined JLK architecture studio just in time to join Habitat Chicago's Women Build! This October 20th, I'm grabbing my hammer, strapping on my tool belt, and joining Holabird & Root + JLK Architects team alongside 550 determined women to knock homeownership barriers down for other women. Here are some reasons I decided to participate in this event for the first time:
>>> The efforts of this event benefit female-led households specifically. From the gender pay gap and its impact on credit profiles, to uneven childcare responsibilities that consume time and financial resources, to higher rates of mortgage denials despite superior payment performance, the hurdles keeping women from homeownership are high. Habitat for Humanity in general is a great force for good, but this women-helping-women event is particularly powerful.
>>> Each event participant not only raises over $450 toward the cost of the home, but also donates one day of labor towards the construction process. The 550 women participating make really meaningful and visible progress on the job site each year and I love the hands-on experience. 😊
>>> The Habitat path to homeownership is one of partnership and sustainable change, one that doesn’t give away free homes but rather helps boost a family out of the rent cycle. The receiving family partners with Habitat for Humanity by completing 350 sweat equity hours, attending homeowner education classes, and saving up for a down payment. Once the home is built, the family is able to purchase it from Habitat with a minimal down payment and an affordable 0% interest mortgage.
If you are interested in supporting the event this year, you can do so by donating to my personal fundraising page, here!
Every little bit counts! :) Thanks ahead of time for your generosity!
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