Women building community- one affordable home at a time
By Maddy Alewine, Communications Specialist
Through shelter, we empower
In Buncombe County, 1 in 6 households spend more than half of their paycheck on housing, and too many families have to choose between safe housing, nutritious food, health care, and reliable transportation (Habitat for Humanity NC).
Women- especially women of color- are hit hardest by the affordable housing crisis and face a daily struggle to keep a roof over their heads. Women comprise nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of the more than 22.2 million people in the United States who work in the 40 lowest-paying jobs (National Women’s Law Center 2020).
Every year Women Build donors and volunteers come together to partner with a local family and together build a stable, affordable home. Women Build affirms that women have the capability and determination to be part of one solution to the affordable housing crisis – one family at a time.
Women Build isn’t about excluding men. It’s about providing a comfortable and welcoming environment for folks of all genders to learn construction skills and work on a jobsite.
History of Women Build
The mission of Women Build is to enable U.S. and international Habitat for Humanity affiliates to recruit, educate and nurture women to build—and advocate for—simple, decent and affordable houses in their communities.
The first Asheville Habitat Women Build house was led by Buncombe County Women Attorneys and was completed in 1994, becoming home to an all-women family spanning five generations. Completed in 2007, the second was led by a group of women executives from Mission Hospitals.
Women Build Today
Today the leadership team is made up of women who have become passionate about Women Build; they call themselves “WomBATs” – for Women Build Advocacy Team. In 2017 the WomBATs hosted their first Rock the House fundraiser. The event was such a success that it became an annual affair. Don’t miss this year’s Rock the House July 23 at Smoky Park Super Club! Secure your free ticket today.
Women Build House 18 will be located in New Heights- a diverse, growing community in West Asheville that will be home to 98 families. Construction on this home begins July 19, and we need your help to build this home.
No construction experience? No problem. Our experienced construction staff demonstrate all tasks and work with you so you feel comfortable.
Bring your friends, family, coworkers, or come solo and help build an affordable home. You will learn new skills, meet new people, and leave feeling tired, but with the good feeling that you are making a difference in your community.
