UR students to build Habitat house in Highland Park

“This collaboration is an important part of Build It, the University’s largest sustained community-engagement initiative coordinated by the Bonner Center for Civic Engagement,” said Cassie Price, CCE community initiatives and program coordinator who is overseeing the project.

The CCE also has planned educational programs about affordable housing, access to credit and related community issues to complement the volunteer effort.

As the organizational sponsor, the university is contributing funds raised by Build It, the Chaplaincy and the campus chapter of Richmond Habitat for Humanity and will provide much of the labor, estimated at 15 volunteers daily from Wednesday through Saturday, beginning Feb. 27. A dedication ceremony is planned for April 19.

Boaz and Ruth also will provide construction volunteers. RRHA sold the property to Habitat for $5,000 and donated back $4,999 “for the good of the cause,” said RRHA spokesperson John Sydnor. Richmond Habitat will act as the general contractor on the build, providing supplemental funding as well as house design plans that will blend with the architectural style of the Highland Park neighborhood.