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Members of Kappa Alpha Fraternity load donated building materials from the apartment complex at the site of their new house on Hancock Avenue onto a van before taking them to Habitat for Humanity.

Athens Habitat celebrates 20 years

By: CURRY ANDREWS

Posted: 1/23/08

Athens Area Habitat for Humanity is celebrating its 20th anniversary, highlighting dozens of homes built, millions of dollars raised and the organization's future plans.

"(The staff at Habitat) are really saying thanks to the community and letting them know we will be here another 20 years eradicating poverty housing," said Spencer Frye, executive director of Athens Area Habitat. "We have really been able to fulfill a need in the community."

Athens Area Habitat was founded in 1988 as a chapter of Habitat for Humanity International. Habitat builds homes funded by sponsors and sells them to qualified families at no interest.

The homeowners pay 20 to 25-year mortgages. All payments are put directly toward another Habitat house. It is a nonprofit organization that is 100 percent volunteer-driven.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

20th Anniversary
When: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: The Georgian Hotel
Price: $65 (proceeds benefit Habitat)
More Information: Call 706-208-1001

Habitat's most notable achievement in Athens is Dorsey Village, a 21-home subdivision on Hawthorne Extension, Frye said.

As Habitat celebrates its first 20 years, the members say they look forward to new programs.

"We have implemented a program that installs emergency wheelchair ramps, and we are looking to expanding to help families in need, not just building new homes," Frye said.

Habitat applied new building techniques to make homes more energy-efficient. Thicker insulation, caulking and filling all joints of a house and installing UV-ray-reflecting TechShield on roofs are new techniques.

"Utility bills were almost cut in half with the new changes," Frye said. Habitat recently completed a "green" home, certified by Southface, a company that promotes and encourages energy-efficient home building.

Habitat credits University students with much of its success.

"The UGA student population is incredible," Frye said. "Athens Area Habitat would not be as successful without the students."

Frye said campus organizations such as Housing for Housing, UGA Habitat and some Greek organizations have shown support.

Kappa Alpha Fraternity donated products from its Cobb Hill Apartment demolition project. The fraternity gave doors, cabinets, sinks, vanities, ceiling fans and furniture - valuing $10,000 to $15,000.

"The idea came from the members of the community," said John Jones, a member of the Kappa Alpha alumnus advisory board.