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Buildertrend and Habitat for Humanity Omaha team up for 2016 Builders Blitz

Habitat for Humanity home build 2016

Buildertrend is proud to have one of the best non-profit organizations in the world – Habitat for Humanity – using our software for their annual Builders Blitz.

Who is Habitat for Humanity Omaha?

Habitat for Humanity is an international, non-governmental and non-profit organization that is devoted to building “simple, decent and affordable” housing. This self-described “Christian housing ministry” that address the issues of poverty housing all over the world, was founded in 1976. With many affiliates and national offices throughout the world, they act in partnership with and on behalf of Habitat for Humanity International   Habitat for Humanity of Omaha was founded in 1984, serving as a grassroots organization that builds and renovates houses, forges community partnerships and breaks down barriers. As the affiliate eliminates vacant lots and abandoned homes in the run-down areas of North and South Omaha, Habitat Omaha is improving the overall appearance of the community. Since 1984, Habitat Omaha has partnered with more than 800 families in the Omaha community to help address their housing issues through homeownership, repairs and community building activities.

Did you know?

  1. Habitat for Humanity Omaha is the 3rd largest Habitat affiliate in the US!
  2. In total this year, Habitat Omaha will build or renovate up to 45 homes and complete up to 65 home repairs.

What is Builders Blitz?

The Home Builders Blitz – an annual event that Habitat for Humanity affiliates put on – got its start on the local level in 2002 in Raleigh, North Carolina. The second national Home Builders Blitz program took place in 2008, and more than 1,000 building industry professionals in 110 affiliates, built 263 new homes across the United States. And since then, professional homebuilders have supported Habitat by building more than 800 homes. Throughout last week and this week, professional builders, construction experts and volunteers all across the United States are plying their skills and talents and working hard to build homes for nearly 200 deserving families during the annual event.

And come June 10th, nine brand new homes will be completed in the North Omaha block of 22nd and Sprague Streets, all thanks to this amazing event. Each one of these nine homes will go to deserving families, with nearly 35 children between all of them.

The homes will cost about $148,500 to build. And while Habitat Omaha will complete those nine homes during this week of the Builders Blitz, a total of 12 houses will be built or renovated on the block this summer, making Habitat Omaha’s total investment in the area approximately $1.7 million.

  • 2016 is year three of Habitat Omaha’s 4-year commitment to invest $8 million in the Kountze Park area.
  • The estimated tax evaluation will be approximately $2,300 per house, adding more than $25,000 to our property tax base annually.
  • Habitat Omaha homeowners contribute more than $440,000 in property taxes each year.
  • Total valuation of Habitat Omaha homeowner’s properties is estimated at $25 million.

Buildertrend & Builders Blitz:

So, how do they organize this incredible project and get that many homes built in such a short time?

First and foremost, the help and generosity of more than 2,000 construction experts and volunteers from Omaha, NE.

  • Builders participating in this year’s Builders Blitz include: AOI; Build Omaha; JE Dunn Construction; Kiewit; McCarthy Building Companies; MCL Construction; SL Jensen Construction; The Weitz Company

A few years ago, Habitat Omaha started using Buildertrend to help streamline their projects, communication and jobsite information.

From to-dos and scheduling, to daily logs and plan markups, these features (among many others) allow Habitat of Omaha to keep track of the numerous project details that go into the Home Builders Blitz.

“The 12 weeks prior and the 10 days during our team uses the scheduling feature of all the pre-work (lot prep, tree removal, foundation, decking, grading, on site inventory management). Daily logs are used the most as this allows our on-site supervisors to “speak” to all the different build components (trades/volunteers/staff) electronically. With 12,000 volunteers annually this dance becomes very important when we are serving 200 families a year.”  – Ken Mar COO Habitat for Humanity Omaha

Ken continues on to say, “The trickle-down effect from the many facets of building to families owning homes ripples exponentially through the Omaha economy. It is a win for our families and our community, and the future of all the kids growing up together in a great neighborhood.”

Buildertrend couldn’t be happier to be involved with such an amazing project and organization. If you’re interested in getting involved with your local Habitat affiliate, click here to figure out what volunteer opportunities could be waiting for you in your own community!

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