Habitat for Humanity partners with Bike and Build
A national organization has partnered with the Idaho Falls Habitat for Humanity. They are working on three homes in Idaho Falls to help with affordable housing in the area. Bike and Build has traveled from Virginia Beach and is on its way to the Oregon Coast. Hannah Maus, from Idaho Falls, joined them on the ride this year to help build homes across the nation.
Bike and Build participant Nathan Barry said, “The total is 3,900 miles, we do an average of 70 miles a day, we have three days off over the summer and 12 build days. We’ve changed the meaning of ‘it’s all downhill from here’, that’s actually a good thing.”
For some a home is way over budget and homes that are in their price range need a lot of work. This is where Habitat for Humanity comes in and the participants of Bike and Build.
Executive director of the Idaho Falls Habitat for Humanity, Karen Lansing said “My favorite part of Habitat for Humanity is working with the families. We have a saying, we call it a hand up not a hand out.”
Bike and Build has been stopping in Idaho Falls for the past 13 years to lend the affordable housing projects a hand.
“At this build site we are in the process of repainting a home that was purchased with a partnership with the city of Idaho Falls using their community development block grant funding. We will be freshening up the house, installing new appliances and taking care of any problems it might have and then selling it to our partner family, the Garcias,” Lansing said.
Maus has been showing the bikers from all over the country and Canada around her hometown.
“It’s been a blast, every day is an adventure. You get to see the non-touristy stuff and see what America is made of,” Barry said.
All those involved with Habitat for Humanity say working with the family is the most rewarding.
Maus said, “They’re all great families that deserve to have a house, and Habitat for Humanity is a great organization that allows them to have a house”
“The dedication is the best part. Actually turning the keys over to the families,” Lansing said.
And the family’s gratitude speaks the loudest. Jackie Garcia, one of the home recipients said, “They’re making my dream come true.”
Families that receive homes from the Habitat for Humanity must complete 500 “sweat equity” hours in order to get the keys to their new homes. This is a way to pass on the work that was done for them.
