Habitat for Humanity to Build Homes in U City

Habitat for Humanity is changing lives around St. Louis and this week, for the first time, Habitat is helping families in on the path to homeownership. 

Officials say they are excited about their first foray into U City and are talking already about future builds. Habitat St. Louis' CEO Kimberly McKinney said there has been interest in the area for several years. 

"For several years we followed the path of going into communities where we were the only act in town," she said. "Now we're working in communities where we are a part of the puzzle."

Habitat first appeared in U City over a year ago, working with city planning officials.

"The city has been amazing - just wonderful to work with," McKinney said. "We've had community meetings and homebuyer interest."

To kick off the project,  Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis is raising a wall to begin the five home build. The wall raising event begins at 11 a.m. Tuesday at 6649 Bartmer (corner of Bartmer and Kingsland).

Kyle Hunsberger, Director of Construction, LEED Green Associate for Habitat, said the U City homes would be green projects.

"It's in the forethought and the implementation," he said of using green practices in residential building. "You take a commerical approach and think through the process and analyze how you will handle details."

The new homes will be four bedroom, 1.5 bath, two story homes. McKinney said the homes will blend in aesthetically with the surrounding neighborhoods.

After Tuesday's wall raising, a six day Blitz Build will begin on Monday, June 11. 

"We'll work six days straight," Hunsberger saud, "We'll take the homes from the sub floor, frame it up and get to roof installation."

He said the blitz build gives a sense of momentum to projects and fires up volunteers and homeowners who get to see major progress in just a week's time.

He noted that construction companies, church groups and other volunteers are planning to make the blitz build week productive.

"We've got a big melting pot of talent coming in," he said. "With their hard work we should have the homeowners in by late September or early October." 

Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis is a not-for-profit, ecumenical housing ministry working in partnership with individuals and communities of all faiths to improve living conditions and provide affordable housing in the St. Louis community. With more than 313 homes already built in the area, Habitat has become one of the leading housing developers in the St. Louis metro area.

According to the USGBC, Habitat for Humanity St. Louis is the largest producer of LEED Certified Platinum single-family detached homes in the United States.

Sponsors of the U City build include: Anheuser-Busch Foundation, ARCO Construction Company, City County Catholic Partnership, Commerce Bank, Graybar Foundation, McBride & Son Companies, West County Churches - Ladue Chapel, Webster Groves, Trinity, and Bonhomme Presbyterian Churches, Episcopal Diocese Habitat for Humanity Project, Habitat for Humanity Chapter, Housing Ministry for the Needy and Travelers.