News

Excerpts from press releases and articles written about Habitat and the affordable housing challenges we face in Vermont are included in this section. To view the documents below, you will need the Adobe Reader.

Winter - 2007 - 2008

Informational Meetings February 26 and 28
Burr and Burton Students make Shed for the Drake Family
Manchester Camber's Win Hoyt Charity Golf Tournament Donates to Northsire Charities.

Fall - 2007

News from India - about our Tithe
News from Uganda - about our Tithe
Citizens Bank Wins "Be Inspired" Award
Habitat and The Perfect Wife Were the "Perfect Pair" in September
Local Architect addresses green affordable housing

Summer - 2007

Much left to be done on housing, economic development - Kevin Dorn
VIA works to connect county-wide efforts through affordable housing alliance
Get going on housing - Andrew McKeever, June 2007
Insulation Demonstration
Community Support for Rupert Home

Spring - 2007

Affordable Housing 101
Bistro Henry to host Mother's Day Brunch for Habitat for Humanity

Habitat Begins Home in Rupert - April 28, 2007
Affordable Housing Project Advances - April 6, 2007
Between a Rock and a Hard Place - March 2007 Report

Winter - 2007

State Says Housing Affordability Help on the Way 3-9-07
Cheap Housing Scare - Rutland Herald 2-8-07
Manchester Rotary Club Makes Gift
MEMS Students and Bromley Mountain Help
A Happy New Year for a New Habitat for Humanity Family
Dedication of the Jenks' New Home

Fall - 2006

Housing Wage Doubles
BBA Freshmen Present Housewarming Gift
Chittenden Bank Makes Grant
Grant Received from Citizens Bank
Modern Woodmen Bingo Benefits Habitat
Global Village Team
Habitat Receives Statton Foundation Grant
Energy Efficient Houses Take Off
Burr & Burton Academy and Habitat become Partners

Summer - 2006

Two area restaurants helped Habitat in a big way during May
Bistro Henry
Perfect Wife

Spring - 2006

Josiah Allen Real Estate Makes Gift to Habitat

Fall - 2005

Bistro Henry raises over $12,000 to benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina

Spring - 2008

Auction to Support Habitat - EAST DORSET — Bennington Area Habitat for Humanity will soon be ready to accept donations for the Second Annual Auction which will be held at A Safe Place Self Storage Storage in East Dorset on July 19. In addition to the auction, there will be a giant tag sale at the same time and same location. Donations will be tax deductible. Most items are accepted as along as they are in decent shape and auctionable. Items that cannot be accepted are mattresses, pianos, shabby couches, old kitchen appliances, books and metal office furniture.

Starting around May 1, auction and sale items will be accepted. These can be delivered to A Safe Place on designated days (to be announced) or a pickup can be arranged.

For information on donating items, call Bill Hoyt at 824-5055 or email Bhoyham1@verizon.net.

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Affordable Housing Tough Nut to Crack - Manchester Journal - 4-10-08. Affordable housing, or rather the lack of it, is one of those perennial issues that never seems to get better or go away. The subject has been on the front burner in varying degrees around these parts for what seems like decades, but despite all the well-intentioned efforts and handwringing, the goal posts always seem to be moving farther away. Read More

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Auction Donations - BENNINGTON — Bennington Area Habitat for Humanity is gearing up for its Second Annual Auction which will be held at " A Safe Place" self-storage in East Dorset on July 19. In addition to the auction, there will be a giant tag sale at the same time and place.

While doing spring cleaning, keep Habitat in mind. The group will take most things as along as they are in decent shape and auctionable. However, based on last year's experience, Habitat cannot accept mattresses, pianos, shabby couches, old kitchen appliances, books and metal office furniture. Starting around May 1, Habitat will be ready to accept auction and sale items. More

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Housing Start - Article published Mar 26, 2008 – Rutland Herald
The housing bill passed by the House last week is drawing opposition, not just from builders and their allies in the Republican Party, but from some of the officials out in Vermont's towns who are most closely involved in land-use planning. More

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Between a Rock and a Hard Place An updated version of this publication was released in March 2008. It does a good job describing Vermont's housing challenge and is very much worth reading. Read the publication.

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Feeling the crunch 3/26/08 - Housing prices in Vermont continue to rise (read entire article).

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Habitat project could be affected by new housing bill - 3/21/08 Brandon Canevari ManchesterJournal.com - A bill under consideration by the state legislature intended to spur construction of affordable housing could potentially have the opposite effect of hampering a multiple dwelling project under consideration by the Bennington Area affiliate of Habitat for Humanity. Read more..

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Winter - 2007- 2008

Informational Meetings February 26 and 28 - Bennington Area Habitat for Humanity is getting ready to start our next house in partnership with the family of Chris and Glenn Morey of West Rupert. If the weather cooperates, they will be breaking ground in early April. Informational meetings about upcoming plans will be held in two different locations: on Tuesday, Feb. 26, at St. Paul's Catholic Church on Route 30 in Manchester, and on Thursday, Feb. 28, at the firehouse in Rupert. Both meetings will run from 7 to 8 p.m. This is an opportunity for community members to learn more about how Habitat works with low-income families to obtain safe, sufficient and affordable housing. More

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Manchester Chamber of Commerce Win Hoyt Golf Tournamant Donates to Northshire Charities - The 17th Annual Win Hoyt Memorial Golf Tournament was held at the Manchester Country Club on Wednesday, September 26, 2007. The Chamber Golf Tournament Committee, David Citron, Chris Rutken and Susan Dailey thank the 2007 corporate sponsors, corporate teams and all the players who turned out to raise money for worthwhile Northshire area charities. The Golf Tournament raised funds for the following charities: Community Food Cupboard, Mark Skinner Library, Habitat for Humanity, and the Second Chance Animal Shelter. The 2008 Win Hoyt Charity Golf Tournament will be held on September 24, 2008.

Pictured: Susan Dailey with Ellen Boyer, Mark Skinner Library, Chris Rutken with Sharon Burnett, Second Chance Animal Shelter, David Citron with Dick Malley, Habitat for Humanity, Tammie Reilly with Martha Carey, Community Food Cupboard, and Jay Hathaway, Chamber Executive Director

Habitat was most grateful and honored to be selected to be one of the recipients. On Wednesday, November 12th, checks for $1,000 were presented to each of the recipients.

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Burr and Burton Students make Shed for the Drake Family

One at a time, sleepy-eyed but awake, nine high school students arrived at the Burr and Burton wood shop every Wednesday morning at 7:00 a.m. this fall. These nine students, sophomores and freshmen, gave up these precious last moments of sleep to work with BBA wood shop teacher, Cliff Hay building a storage shed for their Habitat for Humanity service learning project.\

Since one of Habitat’s rules is that people under the age of sixteen cannot work on site, BBA Habitat team leaders Pete Nicholson and Cliff Hay found a way for these students to learn construction skills and create something valuable for Cindy Drake and her family. More

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Fall - 2007

News from India - where we sent part of our tithe

HFHI Asia Pacific and HFH India wrote to thank us for our tithe. Christine Low wrote "Thanks to partners like you, Habitat for Humanity is reaching more people in need than ever before in Asia Pacific. To date, Habitat for Humanity India has constructed 17,248 houses improving the living condidtions of families who would otherwise remain in the poverty cycle."
We currently split 10% of all unrestriced donations between two countries, India and Uganda. The goal of Habitat International is to build one home in another country for every home that is built in the United States. You can read about the exciting initiatives and programs happening in India by clicking on More.

News from Uganda - about our Tithe

In early November we received a letter from Ronald Ongopa, Resource Communications Manager for Uganda. He thanked us for our continued support. "Please know that it is GRFEATLY appreciated!

Habitat Unganda in Numbers

• Years in operation - 25
• Families housed - 4, 509
• Average house size - 360 square feet
• House sponsorship cost - $2,160 - provides an entire family with a decent home, hygenic toilet and shower stall.

Citizens Bank Wins "Be Inspired" Award

The West Pawlet branch of the Citizens Bank recently received the “Be Inspired” award of $2,500. In making the presentation, Linda Magoon, Senior Vice Presidentand Regional Manager of the Citizens Bank, explained community involvement is a key tenet of the Citizens Bank credo. “We are thrilled that Harry Haldt and his West Pawlet team are the first recipients of Citizens recently launched “Be Inspired” awards, a volunteer recognition program for colleagues who perform exemplary service to the community.” More

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Local Architect addresses green affordable housing - Friday, November 02

MANCHESTER - Ramsay Gourd Architects with offices in Manchester and Burlington, in collaboration with four other Vermont design firms has worked over the past year on the conundrum of Green Affordable Housing. Along with 2morrow Studio, Watershed Studio, Line Sync Architects and GVV Architects, Ramsay Gourd Architects have a submission in an exhibit at the Metropolitan Gallery in Burlington from Nov. 1 through Nov. 15. There will be a panel discussion and reception at the Metropolitan Gallery on Nov. 7 from 5:30 p.m. The Exhibit is sponsored in part through the generosity of rk Miles Building Supply in Manchester. More

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Summer - 2007

Much left to be done on housing, economic development - Kevin Dorn

This legislative session saw some noteworthy accomplishments as a result of cooperation between the Douglas Administration and the Legislature. The Agency of Commerce and Community Development was involved in several key initiatives that I'm pleased to report on. We assisted in the creation of the scholarship and workforce development bill - a top priority of the governor. The new law will help provide training to workers to upgrade their skills and appropriates nearly $5 million for scholarships; a positive step forward that will encourage young Vermonters to remain in our state. Read more...

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VIA works to connect county-wide efforts through affordable housing alliance

By Katy Demong - Katy@newmarketpressvt.com

CHITTENDEN COUNTY--With the widespread need throughout the state for affordable housing, groups working within their respective towns to create it may feel that their efforts are just a drop in the bucket. To work in tandem with other towns' efforts and to learn from the successes and failures of other similar groups can help to align objectives and keep towns on track to meet their goals of creating affordable housing.
This message delivered by Julia Curry, a community organizer for Vermont Interfaith Action (VIA), is the premise of a new Chittenden County Affordable Housing Alliance that is part of VIA's work on affordable housing issues. More

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Get going on housing - by Andrew Mckeever, editor, Manchester Journal   Affordable housing in Vermont should become the new property tax reform. A report issued last March by the Vermont Housing Council highlights the growing crisis in the state faced by ordinary, and even solidly middle class, wage earners can afford. Left unchecked, this problem will undermine every other effort to grow Vermont’s economy, by traditional or unconventional strategies. Workers need to have a place to live. With the price of gas at near all-time highs, the old work-around solution of simply living father and farther away from your job isn’t going to cut it much longer without forcing people to cut back somewhere else. Click to read more.

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Local Habitat for Humanity group building home in Rupert - Jun2 22, 3007

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Spring - 2007

Affordable Housing 101

Affordable Housing 101 - Art Woolf - June 6, 2007

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Bistro Henry to host Mother's Day Brunch for Habitat for Humanity riday, May 11 MANCHESTER - Building on a successful event last year, Bistro Henry once again will host a special Mother's Day Brunch to benefit the local Habitat for Humanity affiliate. Ten dollars from each brunch served will be donated to help build a home for a local family. Construction of the home began in Rupert recently. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 13. The menu will include a three course brunch with many delicious choices, and this is one of only two times per year that the restaurant serves brunch. Call 362-4982 for reserved seating.

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Habitat Begins New Home
On Saturday, April 28 th, the Bennington Area Habitat for Humanity Affiliate had its first official build day for a home it is building in Rupert, Vermont for George and Kelli Lewis and their children, Savannah and Tyler.

Site Supervisor, Cliff Beebe, designed the home to meet Habitat International standards. In addition to being an experienced builder, Cliff’s is an architect and works full time for Ramsay Gourd Architects of Manchester. More

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Affordable Housing Project Advances Friday, April 06 - Brandon Canevari, Editor

MANCHESTER - An affordable housing project proposed by Joshua and Linda Wien has attracted concern from neighbors Robert and Sally Treat who - with their attorney, Mary Ashcroft, present - discussed several issues with the proposal at the last Planning Commission meeting on March 26. Planning Director and Zoning Administrator, Lee Krohn, said the Treats addressed issues regarding curb cuts, traffic flow, risk to animals, the effect on life in the Batten Kill and fencing surrounding the project. More

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Between a Rock and a Hard Place - March 2007 Report
This report was just revised. It updates all the statistics about the affordable housing challenge in Vermont. Some highlights include: The median purchase price of a single-family home in the 2006 report on housing Vermont in 2006 reached $197,000, an 8 percent increase from the previous year and a 97 percent increase since 1996. A Vermont household would need an annual income of $66,000 to purchase that home. Sixty-seven percent of Vermont’s households have incomes below that figure. The median income for all Vermont’s households is $48,500.4 A household with that income could afford a home priced at about $143,500. The median price for a newly-constructed home in Vermont rose to $282,000 in 2006, a 15 percent increase from 2005. Read More.

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Winter - 2007

State says housing affordability help on the way
http://www.rutlandherald.com
March 9, 2007 By DANIEL BARLOW Vermont Press Bureau
 
MONTPELIER — The Legislature and governor are both promising action on the cost of housing in the state.
 
The average price of a home in Vermont grew to $197,000 last year, putting the dream of home ownership out of reach for 67 percent of residents, according to a report released Thursday.
 
For the sixth year in a row, a report on home and apartment prices in Vermont has painted a bleak picture of the growing gap between wages and home prices, which leaves a strong majority of Vermonters unable to afford their housing. More....

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Cheap housing scarce -- February 8, 2007

By Bruce Edwards Herald Staff

Rents in Vermont are the second-lowest in New England and much lower than the national average. But the report by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston also found that while apartments in much of New England are affordable, there is a critical shortage of affordable housing for low-income residents.

"Though rental housing in New England is expensive relative to the rest of the nation, the region's incomes are high enough that rental housing is affordable to most New Englanders," according to the affordable housing study by the New England Public Policy Center at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. More....

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Manchester Rotary Club recently contributed $3,000 to the Bennington Area Habitat for Humanity Affiliate. In speaking about the contribution, Rotary President, Pete Webster said, “We receive solicitations from many very worthy causes each year, and we have to be judicious in the distribution of our precious few charitable dollars.  We work very hard throughout the year to raise the funds we contribute to the community. Click Rotary to read the rest of the article.

Rotary President, Pete Webster, is shown presenting the contribution to Dick Malley.

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MEMS Students and Bromley Ski Resort – Support Habitat

MEMS teachers meet each morning for a half hour throughout the school year with a group of students in an advisory. Each teacher has a lot of latitude for deciding just how that time will be spent. For this year, eighth grade English teacher, Dianna Ivey, decided she wanted her group to take one project that would engage and teach them a variety of skills throughout the year. She picked working with the local Habitat for Humanity affiliate as the project because she felt there would be a many different dimensions that would interest and engage her students. In particular, Dianna wanted her students to learn to work together, to learn the value of giving back to the community in which they live, and to develop writing and speaking skills. Click article to read the rest of the story.

Members of the 8th grade advisory are shown with a display they used to describe Habitat's mission.

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A Happy New Year for a New Habitat for Humanity Family Bondville , VT (January 7, 2007) A new Habitat for Humanity partner family in Bondville is celebrating the new year in a simple, decent home of their own thanks to a caring community that helps those in need. Christine and Brian Jenks with their two sons, Ryan (18) and Daniel (9), were living in an unsafe and cramped mobile home when they applied to Habitat for help. When they heard last Christmas that they had been approved, “It was the most incredible, unbelievable Christmas present that we ever could have received,” remembers Christine. Today the dream became a reality with the official dedication ceremony for the new house. To read more go to article.

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Photo taken by Lee Krohn

Dedication of the Jenks' New Home - At 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 7 th, volunteers who helped build the Jenks’ home or who have worked hard behind the scenes are invited to join with Brian and Christine Jenks and their two sons, Ryan and Dan, to dedicate their new home. The home was started on August 19 th. Habitat volunteers worked at the site just over forty half days since then. In addition, Brian Jenks and his family have done a tremendous amount of work on the home working side by side with volunteers or whenever they had time. Area businesses and individuals have generously donated funds, services, and materials. To read more article.

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Fall - 2006

Housing Wage Doubles - By Darren M. Allen Vermont Press Bureau

MONTPELIER — Vermont households need an income of nearly $32,000 a year to afford the rent on a typical two-bedroom apartment, a jump of close to $2,800 compared to a year ago, according to a national study released Tuesday.

The so-called housing wage — $15.34 an hour — is the amount of earnings the National Low Income Housing Coalition estimates is needed to ensure that the average $797 monthly rent on a two-bedroom apartment doesn't exceed 30 percent of a family's income.

The increase is more than double that experienced in the period a year earlier. The advocacy group said it is indicative of a crisis in housing affordability that is plaguing much of the nation. To read more of the article.....

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Burr and Burton Students Present Housewarming Gift

As a part of their service learning requirement, nine members of the BBA freshmen class (Chris Sabol, Sam Pagliccia. Marissa Yakaitis, Nancy Seem. Kaitlin Filippi, Emery Boudreau, Morgan Ams, Tucker Foulkes, and Chelsea Charbonneau) chose to support Habitat for Humanity’s work in Bennington County. Led by their advisor, Peter Nicholson, they visited the Winhall home shortly after work had started early this fall. After learning more from Habitat volunteer Bill Hoyt, they picked several projects to complete this fall. As volunteers have to be 16 or older to work on site, they chose several creative ways to help off site.

Under the guidance of shop teacher, Cliff Hay, they built two end tables and a porch swing. They also sold studs at r.k. Miles on a Saturday morning. They made $360 selling studs that will be used in the home that will be started in Rupert this April. Each person who “bought” a stud was asked to sign it knowing that the stud they signed will be a permanent part of the new home. They also collected bottles and cans and contributed the proceeds to Habitat. They presented their gift to new homeowner, Christine Jenks who was thrilled with the gift and their generosity.

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Chittenden Bank Makes Grant to Habitat

Habitat recently received a grant for $2,500 from the Chittenden Bank. Speaking about the grant, Andy Holzman, Vice President and Manager of the Manchester branch said “At Chittenden, our involvement in our communities is very important to us. Through our financial support and by promoting local volunteerism, we help build safe, healthy and productive communities for our customers, employees, neighbors and friends. I am very pleased that we can be a partner with the Bennington Area Habitat for Humanity and support both of our missions of creating affordable housing opportunities for our communities."

Habitat is raising funds for a home that is expected to be started in April 2007 for George and Kelli Lewis of Rupert. It will cost approximately $60,000 to $70,000 to build that home and the grant from Chittenden will help purchase building supplies. Each adult in the Lewis family will be expected to contribute a minimum of 250 hours of sweat equity working side by side with volunteers to build their home. When completed, the Lewis family will receive an interest free mortgage at a rate and for a time period so that no more than 30% of their annual income will be spent for housing costs, including mortgage, property insurance, and property tax payments.

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Grant Received from Citizens Bank

Habitat recently received a grant for $2,500 from Citizens Bank. The Citizens Bank credo states that “great companies have a moral core. We care deeply about our communities, and we demonstrate this commitment every day by volunteering where there is a need.”

West Pawlet Branch Manager, Harry Haldt sanding joint compound on November 4, 2006.

Richard Malley, affiliate representative, said “We are most grateful for the tremendous support that Citizens has given to us. Not only has the bank made a generous financial contribution, but bank employees have helped build.” Led by Harry Haldt, Manager of the West Pawlet branch, employees from Citizens Bank worked on the home in Winhall on Saturday, November 4 th.

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Modern Woodmen Bingo Benefits Habitat

On Sunday, November 5, 2006, Roddy Prevost, Chairman and trustee of the Modern Woodmen of America Camp of Wells, Vermont presented a check for $534 to affiliate representative, Richard Malley. This is the second year in a row that the Modern Woodmen have donated the proceeds from special bingo events in support of Habitat’s vision to provide safe, decent, and affordable housing for all people worldwide. The Modern Woodmen contribution will purchase building supplies for a home that will be started in April 2007 in Rupert.

The Modern Woodmen of America is a fraternal organization; members take pride in themselves, in each other, in their families, in their communities, and in their nation. In the people-helping-people spirit of fraternalism, Modern Woodmen members across the nation team up to improve the quality of life in their local areas. Adult and youth members clean up parks; spend time with the elderly; and conduct fund-raisers for individuals, shelters, schools and other community organizations in need. Annual contributions total more than $6 million each year!

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Global Village Team

Ten people from different parts of the United States and Canada worked side by side with Vermont volunteers on the Winhall home from October 15 th to 22 nd. Brought together by a common set of ideals, they were led by, Betsy Steel, who had led six trips to other parts of the world before coming to Vermont. Betsy wrote in her report to Habitat: “ Vermont trip was fabulous! The affiliate was terrific, the build was super, the team was awesome ... it was the best trip that I have been on yet!”

The team spent four full days and three half days working on the home. They put up the vinyl siding and installed and spackled the sheet rock on the walls and ceilings. Given that we normally build two half days each week, the work completed by the Global Village team advanced our work schedule by more than a full month. The team’s work was coordinated by site supervisors, Barth VanderEls and Noble Levesque, and they were joined by other Vermonters, including regular volunteers Fred Hilliard and Carl Mohlenhoff.

The Faith Relations Committee, led by Elise Anton and Sandi Hedman, and including Keith Young, Ray and Marie Ferrarin, and Betty Levesque, organized a great week for the team, including visits to some of places that make Vermont so special-- the Bennington Monument, the Rockwell Museum, the Calvin Coolidge homestead, and the Vermont Country Store in Weston. They stayed at the Colony House in Dorset, where they were welcomed with a pot luck dinner attended by over thirty Habitat volunteers. Area congregations that hosted dinners and provided lunches and snacks throughout the week included the First Baptist Church of South Londonderry, Zion Episcopal Church, the First Baptist Church of Manchester, Israel Congregation, and the First Congregational Church of Manchester. Reverend Jim Gray of the United Church of Dorset led the team on a hike near Dorset, and the team also had the use of the church’s van throughout the week.

In reflecting upon the week, team member Pat Dunn wrote, “I had a wonderful time!  I have never been on any Global Village trip where the people were nicer!  This was my 9th trip and you all were the greatest.  It was especially nice to go to the Synagogue Friday night.  That was a first.   It shows you have wide community support.  I really enjoyed that as well as the other religious groups who had us.  Jim and his church were so very nice—great to have use of their van for the entire week.  And his leading that hike was very special.  Best of luck with your other houses.”

Habitat’s Global Village trips give participants a unique opportunity to become active partners with people worldwide. Team members work alongside members of the host community, raising awareness of the need for building decent, affordable housing worldwide. Anyone interested in learning more about Global Village opportunities should consult http://www.habitat.org/gv/. New trips are posted on a regular basis. As one team member who has been on similar trips to Uganda, South Korea, Hungary, and South Dakota wrote, “Global Village trips are a vacation with a purpose.”

We greatly appreciate the help that many people gave in hosting the Global Village team.

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Habitat for Humanity Receives Stratton Foundation Grant

Andy Avery, board chair of the Stratton Foundation, presented Dick Malley of the local Habitat affiliate with a grant of $1000 for the affiliate’s current project, a new home in Winhall for Brian and Christine Jenks and their two children. Stratton Foundation grants are given twice a year to non-profits in the Stratton and Manchester area. Andy Avery explained that “We have given out almost $400,000 to over 100 different local organizations including schools, clinics, fire departments, theaters, libraries, meals on wheels etc. The foundation is always looking for new donors and volunteers to help it continue in its mission to enhance the quality of life in these Southern Vermont communities."

Andy Avery of the Stratton Foundation came for a visit this September.

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Energy efficient houses take off

MIKE GLEASON, Staff Writer - Bennington Banner

Monday, October 2 - ARLINGTON — With gas prices at high levels entering winter and the current unrest in the Middle East, "energy efficiency" has again become a popular phrase across the country. Some, though, instead of merely talking about efficiency and conservation, see those concepts manifested in their everyday lives.

Ruth Banghart has been living in an energy-efficient house for a year now, and has seen the benefits conservation provides. "The house is very, very efficient with everything," Banghart said. "It has very good windows, doors and insulation. All of the appliances are EnergyStar approved." The house was built through a co-venture between the Bennington Area Habitat for Humanity and Efficiency Vermont, a state organization focused on more efficient energy use. Improvements cited for the house include energy-saving appliances, fluorescent light fixtures, a high-efficiency heating system and high-quality insulation.

"We have a performance-based contract with the state of Vermont to conserve energy," said Blair Hamilton, director of Efficiency Vermont. "What we've done is reduced the amount of energy that Vermont would have had to buy from elsewhere by five percent, and we're adding over one percent a year to that."

Efficiency Vermont became involved in the project to show homeowners that efficiency is not beyond their reach. "We wanted to show that efficiency is appropriate in the setting," said Li Ling Young, a product manager at Efficiency Vermont. "To some people, efficiency sometimes feels like a different and harder way to go, but (places like this house) are where efficiency belongs."

Banghart, a single mother, said she has noticed benefits from the special construction of house. Not only is the house efficient, it is also handicapped-accessible, as her daughter is autistic. Banghart said her bills for three people (herself and two children) were less than that of a comparable two-person household. "It's very comfortable," she said. "Right now, the heat is set at 60 degrees, and it's about 71 degrees in the house without the heat coming on."

Banghart does admit to using an air conditioner occasionally. "During the summer, I broke down and bought an air conditioner," she said. "I ran it for about three days in the summer." When Banghart first applied for a Habitat for Humanity House, she was informed that she was one out of 30 applicants. "I thought 'fat chance,'" Banghart said. "Then I was told I was one of seven applicants. When I was picked, I didn't know what to say — I was screaming and crying at the same time." Habitat for Humanity representatives feel the project was beneficial for them as well. "Habitat for Humanity has become involved with Efficiency Vermont for the services and incentives they offer for the construction of energy-efficient homes," said Richard Jorgenson, who works with Habitat for Humanity. The lessons learned from the project have not gone to waste. "We've learned some things from the project, like the attention to insulation, lighting and things like that," said Jorgenson.

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September - 2006 - Burr & Burton Academy and Habitat become Partners

In an effort to challenge its students with diverse, integrated and meaningful service opportunities and experiences, Burr & Burton Academy in Manchester has revamped its community service requirement into a service learning experience.  As one of many community partners, BAHfH will work with a group of freshmen students who want to help Habitat.  Due to age restrictions at the construction site, these students will be choosing from a list of projects and activities that can be completed off site. Some projects involve construction of smaller items, like a book case, bench, or mailbox; others involve fund raising, and others involve increasing the level of awareness about Habitat’s work by educating others. We look forward to working with young volunteers.

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Summer - 2006

July - 2006 - Two area restaurants helped Habitat in a big way during May

On Mother’s Day – May 14 th - Bistro Henry hosted a very special Mother’s Day Brunch to benefit our work. Ten dollars from each brunch served was donated to help build a home for a family that lives in the Bennington area. Owner Henry Bronson said, “Building affordable housing is of tremendous importance to everyone in our area. Habitat does it one house, one family, and one mother at a time. The community pitches in. That’s what we do, too.”

The Perfect Wife Restaurant and Tavern contributed $5 for every entrée served in the dining room and $1 for every entrée served in the tavern from May 5 th through June 2nd. Chef/owners, Amy and Geoff Chamberlain and the entire Perfect Wife staff “felt this was an opportunity through the restaurant to raise money and awareness of the local efforts of Habitat for Humanity. By providing a great meal to our guests, we have helped provide a much needed safe and affordable home to a worthy family.”

Chef Amy Chamberlain with co-owner, Geoff Chamberlain, presented affiliate President, Dick Malley with a check for $6,025.

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Bistro Henry - Dina and Henry Bronson, owners of Bistro Henry's in Manchester, raised over $1,000 for Bennington Area Habitat for Humanity in May at their annual Mother's Day Brunch. Both the Bronson's believe in thinking globally, and acting locally. This works well for BAHfH, as Habitat for Humanity is a "global" organization with a chapter right here in Bennington County. "Building affordable housing is of tremendous importance to everyone in our area. Habitat does it one house, one family, and one mother at a time. The community pitches in. That's what we do, too," said Henry Bronson. BAHfH's next build will be in Winhall for Brian and Christine Jenks and their family. Construction is expected to begin in August as soon as the concrete for the foundation can be poured.

Dina and Henry Bronson are shown presenting a check to Dick Malley, President and to Susan Armstrong, Secretary of the Bennington area Habitat affiliate.

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March 2006 - Josiah Allen Real Estate Makes Gift to Habitat  

The Bennington Area Habitat for Humanity Affiliate recently received a gift of $5,000 from Josiah Allen which was added to previous gifts and sponsorship from Josiah Allen. The contribution will be used to help build a home this spring for a family that lives in Winhall. It costs Habitat approximately $60,000 to $70,000 to build a home. Each home is built by volunteers with many of the professional services and materials donated or heavily discounted by local businesses.

In speaking about Josiah Allen’s continuing support of Habitat, Laura Beckwith said, “We are very pleased to be in a position where we could give back to the community that has been so good to us. Josiah Allen has done very well by introducing fine real estate to people who want to live here. No developer except Habitat is building homes under $100,000 in our area, and many of the people who work in our community find it difficult to afford to live here. We hope our gifts will inspire others in our community to become involved with supporting Habitat’s mission.”

Laura Beckwith is shown presenting Harry Chandler, Board Member and Habitat Treasurer, with a gift.

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Fall 2005

November, 2005 - Bistro Henry raised over $12,000 at a benefit for the victims of Hurricane Katrina

On Wednesday September 21, 2005. working in conjunction with several local and regional businesses, Bistro Henry hosted a very special evening of food, wine and music to benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. A live auction, presided over by the incomparable Eric Nathan, raised over $7,000.

The $12,000 raised from the dinner and auction was divided in half, with Habitat for Humanity and the Salvation Army receiving these funds to help with relief efforts. Rich Jorgensen, President of our the Bennington Area Habitat for Humanity affiliate accepted a check in the amount of $6,120 from Henry and Deena Bronson to be sent on for Habitat for Humanity’s Operation Home Delivery. Operation Home Delivery is working with 14 affiliates in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas and work is underway there to rebuild almost 30 homes occupied by Habitat families in their community with 8 newly pre-fabricated homes arriving soon. The need for ongoing support will continue.

People can learn more about Operation Home Delivery and Habitat’s work around the world on the web at www.habitat.org.

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