Land donations help Habitat double homes

Monday, Oct. 7, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

Thanks to some generous donations, Habitat for Humanity is prepared to double the number of homes it has built for the working poor in Southern Nevada.

In nearly six years, the local chapter of the 19-year-old national organization has built 11 homes -- eight in West Las Vegas and three in Henderson.

Last week, the Horn Co., a local developer, announced a gift of six Las Vegas parcels. Two months ago, the city of Henderson bought six lots and is expected to convey the titles to Habitat this month.

"We were surprised when the Horn Co. first came to us four months ago with the offer, but we were more than grateful to accept and participate in this process," said outgoing Habitat Executive Director C.T. Wang.

Eric Horn and partner Robert Carrau pledged the lots from a business park near their The Village at Twin Lakes subdivision north of Vegas Drive. Horn placed the value of the donation at $150,000.

"The contribution is in line with helping Habitat for Humanity achieve its goal of 200 homes by the year 2000," said Horn, who has been building homes locally for 24 years and has been a member of Habitat for four years.

Horn has traveled to several sites, including the Lakota Indian Reservation in South Dakota, to build homes for the organization. He has worked alongside former President Jimmy Carter, the most noted longtime supporter of Habitat.

As for the donation from Henderson, Wang said: "Eight months ago, we went out and found the property (southeast of Boulder Highway and Sunset Road), talked with the owner and then asked the city to buy it and donate it to us."

The city benefits from such a transaction in that Habitat has a solid track record of building homes in poor neighborhoods and improving not only its own property, but inspiring other area property owners to upgrade their homes and land. This attracts others to invest in the area and adds to the tax base.

Habitat is in negotiations with the city of North Las Vegas to purchase two lots at a low cost. It has another property from a previous donation also awaiting development.

"Getting the land is no easy task, but getting sponsors to build the homes also is a challenge," Wang said. "We are looking for companies, individuals or groups to give us $55,000 to construct each home. In some cases, we could start building right away if we had that money."

The Habitat board of directors is set to meet Tuesday to consider the groundbreaking date for its 12th local site and possibly to choose a replacement for Wang, who is leaving for personal reasons.

In Wang's brief tenure, several homes have been completed, and families who otherwise could not afford to buy homes by conventional means have moved in.

"I think we are in great shape," Wang said. "We have established the organization's infrastructure and acquired land, which keeps us going."

Habitat provides long-term, no-interest loans to low-income home buyers, including working single mothers. Often, the mortgage payments are lower than the rent the family had been paying. Also, Habitat qualifiers must work 450 hours building their home or working on homes for others.

In addition to sponsors, Habitat is seeking experienced construction trade workers to volunteer during weekdays once projects are under way.

"Getting experienced construction workers on (traditional) work days has been difficult," Wang said. "We have had some success in getting retired people with construction experience to help out, but we could always use more volunteers during the week who are skilled in the building trades."