BOARD CHAIR LEIF LANGENSAND AND CONSTRUCTION MANAGER DAWN ADAMS INAUGURATE THE NEW HABITAT GREATER SAN FRANCISCO BANNER AT THE LINCOLN AVENUE CONSTRUCTION SITE IN REDWOOD CITY.

New name, but mission goes on

august 1, 2008 marked the official beginning of Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco as the organization finalized the merger of Peninsula Habitat and Habitat San Francisco. The day began with staff, board members, volunteers, and many others gathered at the De Long Terrace and Lincoln Avenue construction sites to celebrate the occasion. Donuts, coffee and commemorative t-shirts were provided as part of the festivities.

While the affiliate's name has changed, its mission to partner with working families and the community to build affordable ownership homes in Marin, San Francisco, and the Peninsula goes on. With its proven volunteer-centric model, Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco continues to provide a unique solution to the local housing crisis. Please go to www.habitatgsf.org for more information.

Grant of $1.76 million awarded for Daly City development

habitat for humanity Greater San Francisco was awarded a grant of $1.76 million from the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for a 36-home affordable housing development at 7555 Mission Street in Daly City. Built on a raised podium garage structure, the three-level development will be Habitat Greater San Francisco's largest affordable housing development to date. Currently, the total project budget exceeds $13 million. Habitat Greater San Francisco expects to break ground on Mission Street by summer of 2009. Read More.

The realization of a dream

in a cramped one bedroom apartment in Chinatown, above the noisy bustle of traffic and passersby, Janette has something else on her mind. Every day that passes in the tiny bedroom, split by a curtain and shared between her children, husband and father-in-law, she thinks of happiness. Every day in the small living room where her sister-in-law sleeps, Janette passes through on her way to her receptionist job, and sees in her mind a new home.

And then, the most beautiful thing: this isn't just a daydream. Janette's home has a foundation, and siding, and insulation, and paint. Janette can tell you everything it's made from, because she, her husband Eric, her father-in-law Fat-Bo and her sister-in-law Jenny helped build it together, along with the hands of many Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco volunteers. Waiting for them at the end of the day, the couple's daughter, Leanne, 4, will ask eagerly, "Did you work on my bedroom?" "Of course," they will say, knowing it is the only answer to make her happy. Read More.

Construction sites humming

as the beautiful weather of fall approaches, Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco is making excellent progress on its construction sites on Lincoln Avenue in Redwood City and on De Long Street in San Francisco. The eight townhomes on Lincoln Avenue in Redwood City are going up quickly. All eight homes are being constructed using sustainable building techniques, including the installation of solar panels on each roof. Currently, volunteers are finishing framing the homes as well as working on siding, roofing and painting.

The partner families are spending time on the site as they complete their sweat equity requirement. Maria, a future homeowner, says, "At first we could not imagine our home and little by little, from the foundation to the walls, things have come together. Read More.

Pipeline approaches 100 new homes in five years

the real estate development department at Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco is hard at work building a strong pipeline of new developments. Over the next five years, nearly 100 homes are planned in partnership with hardworking families in Marin, San Francisco, and the Peninsula! This fall, construction will begin on seven homes on Whitney Young Circle in San Francisco's Bayview community. Read More.

Goodbye AmeriCorps!

at the end of july, the AmeriCorps teams from Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco's De Long Street (San Francisco) and Lincoln Avenue (Peninsula) developments finished their terms of service. After months of hard work and dedication, they reflected on what the experience meant to them.

"At the end of the day, I go home tired knowing I have spent all of my energy and passion learning from people I admire and doing work that will make a concrete positive impact on other people's lives. Everyone should be so lucky to find a job as physically and emotionally rewarding." -Liza
Read More.

Advocacy helps housing cause

habitat for humanity Greater San Francisco has an active advocacy program to educate volunteers, the community, local leaders, and government officials about the facts around affordable housing and Habitat's efforts to address the local housing crisis. Habitat has the potential to create positive change with its strong brand, well-respected history, and thousands of local dedicated volunteers. The proven Habitat for Humanity model has enabled more than 350 families to purchase homes in the Bay Area, and housed more than one million people worldwide. Read More.

Garden tour benefits Habitat

on thursday, july 24, Habitat Greater San Francisco supporter John Ward hosted a tour of his stunning gardens for interested members of the community. John's garden, carefully tended with organic materials and in full summer bloom, attracted 300 garden-lovers. While the tour itself was free, John asked guests to make a donation for affordable housing. As a result of John's generosity, Habitat Greater San Francisco received $5,000 in gifts during the event.

Eichler Home Tour 2008

habitat for humanity Greater San Francisco presents the Eichler Home Tour on Saturday, September 6, 2008. Join us for this special self-guided tour which offers design enthusiasts and the general public a look into the world of Eichler residences in Palo Alto. All proceeds from the event will support Habitat Greater San Francisco’s efforts to build homes and hope in Marin, San Francisco and the Peninsula.

The Eichler Home Tour 2008 program includes 12 Eichler homes in Palo Alto. These homes will include a variety of single-family floor plans and sizes, both original and remodeled. Joseph Eichler was a pioneer builder in post-war California, adapting Frank Lloyd Wright’s famous approach to new suburban development in an era of housing shortages. In addition, Mr. Eichler was the first developer in the United States to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity or religion.

Tickets are $40 each. Your ticket is tax-deductible. We encourage you to pre-purchase your tickets to ensure a faster registration on the day of the event. To purchase tickets online, click here. Please select “Eichler Home Tour” from the program drop-down menu.

For additional information, please contact Sabrina Pourmand at 650.568.7337 or spourmand@habitatgsf.org.

date: Saturday, September 6
time: 10 AM to 4 PM

starting Place:
Eichler Swim & Tennis Club
3539 Louis Road, Palo Alto

Coldwell Banker starts "Big Give"

coldwell banker Residential Brokerage Community Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the real estate brokerage firm, has launched its 10th annual Habitat for Humanity fundraising campaign for Northern California, known as "BIG GIVE." As the real estate company's preferred nonprofit organization, Habitat for Humanity's Northern California affiliates have received more than $1.5 million since Coldwell Banker launched a raffle fundraiser in 1999. The company has set a goal of increasing its annual donation by 60 percent to raise $400,000 this year, helping to make the dream of home ownership a reality for more families. Coldwell Banker has been a long-standing partner with Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco, investing significant funding and volunteer hours to help build local Habitat homes.