PORT TOWNSEND — A “Builders Blitz” that began Wednesday aims to erect a Habitat for Humanity home in just 11 days.
Habitat for Humanity of East Jefferson County has built two clusters of seven homes each in residential neighborhoods.
The stakes increased this month with the organization’s participation in the nationwide “blitz,” in which a single home is constructed in a short period of time, in contrast to Habitat’s usual process of building a home on the weekends using volunteer labor.
Construction began on the house at 1319 21st St., on Wednesday and is expected to be finished in 11 days, with a dedication ceremony scheduled at 1 p.m. Monday, June 11.
About 65 people attended a construction kickoff ceremony on Tuesday afternoon.
“There is a big push to shop local and eat local,” said Fred Kimball of Kimball Woodworks of Port Townsend, who is one of several contractors working on the home.
“With this project we have shown people how to build local.”
The new 1,000-square-foot home will be occupied by T. J. Quandt and Hollis Rothrock and their two children, Grayson, 10 and Bristol, 3.
“I want to thank all of the people who have volunteered,” Quandt said.
“This really means a lot to us.”
Photographers took a group picture atop the site’s concrete slab on Tuesday, and hope the same people will show up for an “after” picture at the dedication ceremony.
The construction coincides with 200 other Habitat Builders Blitz homes to be built across the nation during the same time period.
The houses are usually built by volunteers along with the homeowners, who earn “sweat equity” over a period of six to eight weeks that goes toward the purchase of the new home.
The Builders Blitz house will be built differently.
More than 20 local contractors and suppliers have committed to donate labor and/or materials to the project.
In addition to Kimball, the team of volunteers is led by Todd Hulbert of Tollefson Builders of Chimacum; Terry Johnson of Carl’s Building Supply, Inc., of Port Hadlock; Jim Jackson and Chuck Thrasher.
“This is bringing people together who don’t interact normally,” said Jamie Maciejewski, Habitat executive director.
“Usually they are bidding against each other for projects.”
The three-bedroom, one-bath house is being constructed using the best available energy efficient processes, Maciejewski said.
Habitat homes are characterized as “a hand up and not a hand out,” with the new occupants paying a mortgage and assuming all the responsibilities of home ownership.
________
Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
