No place like home

Habitat for Humanity, Lowe’s partner for International Women Build Week

COEUR d’ALENE — New homes for local families took shape Friday morning as volunteers framed walls at Kunkel’s Corner, Habitat for Humanity of North Idaho’s six-unit housing project in Coeur d’Alene.

The day’s work was part of Habitat for Humanity’s International Women Build week, an annual event created in partnership with Lowe’s. The global event aims to build and improve about 540 homes while raising awareness of housing issues facing women and their families.

“The idea is to give people, especially women, an opportunity to do something they haven’t done before,” said James Casper, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of North Idaho.

Tammy Gee, a single mom and future owner of a Habitat home, worked alongside the volunteers.

The home where she currently lives with her children is falling apart — literally. The place is ready to be demolished as soon as she moves out. But finding a safe, affordable place to live has been a challenge. That’s where Habitat comes in.

“I couldn’t see myself getting a traditional home loan any time soon,” Gee said. “This is getting my foot in the door for my future and my children’s future. It’s stability.”

Most of the volunteers on Friday were Lowe’s employees, including Lori Heimbigner. This was her third time helping Habitat for Humanity build a home for a local family.

Construction isn’t something she does every day — but, she said with a laugh, “I wouldn’t mind. Maybe I missed my calling.”

Heimbigner said it’s exciting to watch a home take shape, knowing she helped to build it with her own hands. That’s what keeps her coming back each year.

“I think everyone should take the opportunity to volunteer,” she said. “It’s a valuable organization. I think it’s phenomenal.”

Previous experience in construction isn’t necessary to volunteer. Casper said Habitat for Humanity can teach volunteers what they need to know in order to pitch in, and volunteers work under supervision.

“Anybody can do it,” he said. “It’s not rocket science.”

The partnership between Habitat for Humanity and Lowe’s isn’t just for the week. It’s an ongoing partnership.

Casper said Lowe’s gives Habitat for Humanity of North Idaho discounts on building material and even donates overstock items to the nonprofit’s local “ReStore,” which sells home improvement items.

“Without that support, we wouldn’t be able to build houses,” Casper said.

Named in honor of the late Greg Kunkel, former repair supervisor of Habitat’s Brush with Kindness program, Kunkel’s Corner is the nonprofit’s first multi-unit housing project in North Idaho. It represents a shift away from single-family homes, which have become prohibitively expensive to build and maintain.

Six families will call Kunkel’s Corner home. If the project were limited to single-family homes, only three units could be built on the lot.

Families put about 250 “sweat equity” hours toward building their new homes. In addition to that work, Gee is undergoing financial training to prepare her for home ownership.

“Having a full-time job, four kids at home and volunteering is trying,” she said. “But I can do it.”

Casper said that putting in that time and effort helps families feel a stronger connection to their new home. It also instills in them a greater sense of ownership and pride.

“That’s the magic about it,” he said.