Local elected officials join forces with Habitat for Humanity to address the community’s affordable housing crisis

Non-profit hosts “Habitat Builds Colorado Day” inviting local and elected government officials to pick up hammers and raise awareness for affordable housing

Roaring Fork Valley, CO, April 10, 2008 – On April 19th, State Senator Gail Schwartz, Basalt Mayor Leroy Duroux, Carbondale Trustee Russ Criswell and many other government officials will join forces with Habitat for Humanity to bring awareness to the affordable housing crisis that faces the community.

Habitat Builds Colorado, a statewide event organized by Habitat for Humanity of Colorado, will feature homebuilding projects and other events across the state to raise awareness for affordable housing and the Habitat solution.

“We are very excited to be holding our second annual statewide legislative awareness event. With foreclosures at an all time high and fewer options for affordable housing, Habitat offers a viable solution to this immense problem,” said Stefka Fanchi, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Colorado. “By involving policy makers in our mission, we hope to create partnerships that will benefit the entire state.”

Scott Gilbert, Habitat for Humanity of the Roaring Fork Valley president adds, “We are expecting a great show of support from local government officials on April 19th. Nowhere in the state is the affordable housing crisis more evident than right here in our own backyard. We invite all government officials in the community to join us and take a tangible step towards building affordable housing.”

Attendees will begin the day on April 19th by picking up hammers to build the Smith home in Carbondale from 9:00 am until noon. A tour of the newly opened Habitat ReStore will follow, including lunch and a brief presentation. The Smith home is located at 329 W. 8th Ct. in the Cleveland Place II subdivision off of 8th Street, a few blocks east of Main St. in Carbondale. The ReStore is located off of Hwy. 82 between Glenwood Springs and Carbondale in the Cattle Creek Center, near Little Bear Antiques.

For more information about the event or to register to attend, please contact Habitat for Humanity of the Roaring Fork Valley directly at 945-7773.

About Habitat for Humanity Roaring Fork Valley
Habitat for Humanity Roaring Fork Valley (HHRFV), an independent affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization. HHRFV builds new houses in partnership with homeowner families, sponsors, volunteers, and communities to eliminate poverty housing in the Roaring Fork Valley while serving as a catalyst to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. In 2008, HHRFV plans to build a single-family home in the Cleveland II subdivision in Carbondale and a duplex in Rifle and complete the “Mikey’s Place” remodel. For more information, visit www.habitatroaringfork.org.

About Habitat for Humanity of Colorado
HFHC is a nonprofit 501c3 corporation whose purpose is to build the capacity of affiliates by increasing access to resources, facilitating communication between affiliates and the community, and providing statewide leadership toward the creation of thriving communities that support healthy families. For more information about Habitat for Humanity of Colorado, visit www.habitatcolorado.org.

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