Every year, Birmingham builders come together for a dramatic one-week homebuilding event to help families in need. This year, thirteen homes were produced by twelve local home builders in just seven days! Harris Doyle Homes is proud to reveal that they were one of the volunteers for the 2016 Habitat for Humanity Homebuilders Blitz. As an involved sponsor in the district, Harris Doyle showed support for the community by building a single-family home for individuals who qualified for homeownership. By volunteering their time, resources and expertise, they helped a family achieve one of the biggest and most important goals in life. This redeveloped neighborhood, given the name Cascade Parc, is planned for 19 acres in the heart of East Lake, Alabama. The name originates from the entertainment park, Cascade Plunge, which occupied the land from the 1920s to the 1990s. The neighborhood will include up to 40 new, affordable homes and community amenities. Greater Birmingham Habitat for Humanity also plans to make repairs to nearby owner-occupied homes as part of the effort that is estimated to be a $6 million investment over the next three years. Greater Birmingham Habitat for Humanity was established in 1987 and is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization that specializes in constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes. Habitat for Humanity homes are simple, decent and affordable for low-income families around the world. Birmingham’s division is ranked in the top 10 out of more than 1,500 Habitat affiliates in the United States. Volunteers and supporters come together to make this organization thrive by giving every person the opportunity to live in a pleasant home and community. A common misconception about houses built by Habitat for Humanity is that the families freely obtain ownership of the home. Contrary to this belief, there is actually a process that each applicant must go through in order to qualify for purchase. The application process consists of completion of the application form, credit check, sex offender check, an office and home interview, and 400 hours of volunteer work that must be performed by the future homeowners. The applicants much demonstrate that their current situation is not suitable based on certain criteria. In addition, candidates must also demonstrate their ability to pay and their willingness to partner with Habitat. Workshops for budgeting and life-skills are also mandatory for families seeking ownership. By volunteering for Habitat, they had the chance to meet with the home buyers, who could share what they were looking most forward to about owning their own home. They were proud to take part in an event that will make a lasting impact for the families and the great East Lake neighborhood. For more information on Harris Doyle Homes, visit www.harrisdoyle.com. To become involved with Habitat for Humanity Greater Birmingham, please visit www.habitatbirmingham.org/volunteer.