Builders Blitz Celebration:

Habitat Forsyth Dedicates Five Homes after a Five Day Build

On Saturday, May 18, 2024, five families in our community celebrated the completion of their new homes at Habitat Forsyth's dedication service. This event marked the culmination of an intense Builders Blitz, during which five houses were constructed in just five days. The dedication aimed to honor the families who have worked tirelessly to complete the Habitat Homeownership Program, featuring heartwarming testimonies from Habitat staff, families, and city council members who made this accomplishment possible.

This dedication took place in the historic Happy Hill neighborhood. Council member Annette Scippio highlighted the rich history of the area, noting its significance as the first site of Black homeownership in the Winston-Salem area. Once a plantation where enslaved people worked tirelessly, the land was abandoned until emancipation allowed freedmen to own property on the city's outskirts. Now, a century and a half later, five African-American families are beginning their journey of homeownership on this historic land.

The construction of these homes was facilitated through Habitat Forsyth's partnership with the Home Builders Association of Winston-Salem (HBAWS), which secured eight local builders to assist in building the homes. Special thanks go to Ron Foister, president of the board of directors for the HBAWS, and Kevin Cheshire, executive director of the Winston-Salem Housing Authority. Additionally, we appreciate Mayor Joines and city council members who approved a grant to fund the construction.

While the contractors were busy building the homes, our new homeowners were equally committed, contributing over 300 hours of sweat equity and attending financial literacy and homeownership classes. These families have shown a strong desire to create generational wealth and will ensure that their new home is well-maintained.

Habitat Forsyth is dedicated to equipping new homeowners with the knowledge and skills needed for successful homeownership. Our classes cover everything from budget planning to changing lightbulbs, ensuring that families are well-prepared for their new responsibilities.

This achievement would not have been possible without the support of our community, sponsors, and contractors. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has donated their time and resources to make this dream a reality for these families.

Five Homes in Five Days:

Watch Two Blitz Homes go up in a Blink!