Austin Habitat for Humanity helps East Austin families
Since 1985 Austin Habitat for Humanity has built 440 homes in the Austin area, and repaired more than 248 existing homes for the elderly, disabled and veterans.
For 30 years, the non-profit, along with over 8,000 volunteers a year, have provided affordable homes and resources to homeowners.
For the Quiroz family owning a home seemed like an unreachable goal. But with the help from Austin Habitat for Humanity their dream of becoming homeowners came true.
"We wanted a place to call our own," said Elida Quiroz.
The non-profit builds homes for working families who cannot afford one.
"It doesn't matter who you are where you are what your status is everybody needs help sometimes. If we all just help than everybody will be a little bit better," said Habitat for Humanity Vice President of Construction Billy Whipple.
Saturday morning dozens of volunteers along with new homeowners came together to celebrate the dedication of four new homes.
With the help of more than 3,000 volunteers working around 30,000 hours and donations from local sponsors including donated land from the Guadalupe Neighborhood Development Corporation (GNDC) four homes in east Austin were made possible.
"I want to thank God for this thank Habitat GNDC and all the volunteers who were out here countless hours," said Steven Quiroz.
Construction for the homes took over six months, each home built to be energy efficient.
"They're designed to be NetZero so they are going to produce as much energy as they consume so they have solar panels on them designed with advanced wall construction. So they are going to be the most energy efficient homes that we ever built and provide long time affordability for these families," said Whipple.
Congressman Lloyd Doggett said with growing home prices in Austin programs such as Habitat for Humanity give families a chance at building stability and an opportunity.
"It's a way people can volunteer with their time, money their old building supplies and make a difference for a neighbor and create the happiness on the faces I've seen on these families their children to know that they now own their own home.," said Doggett.
An opportunity the Quiroz family said will always be grateful for.
"It's a dream come true. We've been praying for it and asking god for a home," said Elida Quiroz.
According to organizers for Austin Habitat for Humanity the families will be able to move in as soon as the city completes inspections.
To find out more you can visit the website for Austin Habitat for Humanity.