Trade article from
the Home Builders Association of Chester and Delaware Counties
From the Home Builders Association of Chester and Delaware
Counties “Connections” Magazine, March/April 2006
issue:
An exciting opportunity exists with a newer charitable organization,
Homescapes. At their February meeting, the Sales and Marketing
Council heard a presentation from Joe Behrle, Mark Fischer
and Rob Kendall of Homescapes, Inc., a nonprofit organization
known as the “accessibility provider of last resort.” Working
with Magee Rehab Hospital, this group arranges to retrofit
homes for the very poor, who would otherwise not be able
to continue to live in their homes. 100% of the donations
of time, building material and money to adapt these owner-occupied
homes goes to making the home accessible.
The organization screens each applicant and their home from
the requests it receives through Magee Rehab and is hoping
the HBA will be able to assist them in assembling the teams
required to do the work. People will benefit from their services
which include retro-fitting bathrooms, kitchens, doorways and
adding ramps so that a wheelchair bound individual can function
independently at home. Working directly with patients at Magee,
the goal is to release patients from the hospital to a home
that is ready to greet them and prepare them for life’s
new challenges.
During 2006, Homescapes and the Chester Delaware HBA plan
to work together to complete 10-11 projects. Depending on the
specifics, a project is estimated to average approximately
$22,000. Of course, some projects will be smaller and less
costly. All recipients of Homescapes’ services are pre-screened
to be sure they qualify for low income assistance service.
Homescapes will look to builder members to serve as project
managers and subcontractors to offer services at a free or
reduced rate. Materials donations along with cash donations
will also be needed. If all goes as planned, the first joint
effort could begin as early as March.
One project, through the Bucks-Mont HBA, is already underway.
While the opportunities to work within our communities are
varied, the SMC sees these two initiatives as a natural fit
within the mission of the HBA and its members. “We have
the manpower, the skills, the resources and the energy to support
both Habitat and Homescapes, and we look forward to building
the momentum within the Sales and Marketing Council to make
a positive impact on our community,” remarks Gary Scheivert.
POINT OF VIEW
by Ted Moser, President
Here we are already in March—time for March Madness,
time for our long awaited Pyramid Awards Celebration, time
for the spring home buying season…
…
In closing, I look forward to working with our team on so many
worthwhile programs this year from educational seminars and
legislative initiatives to community service activities. Habitat
is coming up in October and we will also be supporting a new
charitable organization. Homescapes provides spinal cord injury
survivors with the chance to have their homes retro-fitted
to make them handicap accessible. With all of ahead, I look
forward to your continued involvement. See you soon.
Back to Articles Page
|
