If you drive down Dennis Street in Beacon Village to check out the future Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity neighborhood, you’ll see a noticeable change. Infrastructure for the future 17-house neighborhood – including water and sewer lines, a new road and cul-de-sac, and stormwater pond – are nearing completion. The storm water pond is especially important as it will help maintain the water quality of the developed land and ensure that rain water isn’t re-directed onto neighboring properties. This infrastructure work is expected to be completed by the end of December.
Construction on the first house is scheduled to begin in late March. This house will be sponsored by students from Asheville Christian Academy and Christ School; they’re calling it the Habitat Student Build. It will be a simple 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath energy-efficient home. Each school needs to raise over $18,000 for their sponsorship, totaling more than $36,000. The students are currently fundraising and, come spring, those 16 and older will volunteer to help build the house.
Next week, Christ School is holding a “Hoops for Habitat” basketball fundraiser where they’ll raise money for Dave’s House through donations, game admission, and raffle tickets. Games are Wednesday, December 12th at 6:30 p.m. against Asheville Christian Academy (donations accepted) and Friday, December 14th against Wesleyan Christian at 6:00 p.m. ($5 admission). Both games are at Christ School in the “Greenie Dome” across from the football field.
The volunteer calendar for the Swannanoa build isn’t finalized yet, so check back for more details on volunteering in Swannanoa. If you want to get involved before then, there are plenty of current Habitat volunteer opportunities in Asheville. Visit www.ashevillehabitat.org for more information.