Purdue students to build Habitat for Humanity house
November 5, 2013
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Purdue University Habitat for Humanity chapter on Saturday (Nov. 9) will raise the walls for a house it is building in Lafayette.
The Purdue student-run organization works with Habitat for Humanity affiliates in Lafayette, Crawfordsville and Lebanon. The students raise funds and work on various projects in the three communities.
"Our organization works to build, fundraise, advocate and educate for affordable housing on campus and in the surrounding area," said Allison Tyson, vice president of development for the chapter. "PUHFH was established 24 years ago, and since then has become one of the largest organizations on campus with nearly 200 registered members each year."
The student chapter funds the house, being built at 1204 Southlea Drive. Shawn Deignan, marketing and communications coordinator for Habitat for Humanity of Lafayette, said sponsors of a home typically contribute $55,000.
Habitat for Humanity, an international organization, partners with families and individuals to provide affordable home ownership. Those purchasing a Habitat for Humanity house contribute sweat equity by working with the organization on other projects. Costs are kept down because of the donation of time, money and materials. The home is sold to the family with a long-term, no-interest mortgage.
The house being built by the Purdue chapter will go to Temple and Brooke Cosby and their two young children. Deignan said a typical house for a family of four will have three bedrooms, one-and-a-half bathrooms and a one-car garage. The Cosbys are putting in 500 hours of sweat equity.
Deignan said she has been impressed with the Purdue students working with Habitat for Humanity.
"They are amazing," she said. "They work hard, and they do it with smiles on their faces."
Writer: Judith Barra Austin, 765-494-2432, jbaustin@purdue.edu
Sources: Allison Tyson, tysona@purdue.edu
Shawn Deignan, 765-423-4590, shawn@lafayettehabitat.org
Note to Journalists: The wall raising at the PUHFH house will begin at 9 a.m.
