Habitat for Humanity takes ‘field trip’ through Reading
The school bus, which was boarded by 45 adult passengers last evening to tour the city of Reading, may have inspired fond memories of a grade school field trip, but the passengers were also looking for memories of the town that Read- ing that used to be, a vibrant and beautiful Pennsylvania city of neighborhoods.
Habitat for Humanity of Berks County’s executive director, Tim Daley, told the invited group that his organization is dedicated to helping make the city beautiful and liveable again.
Daley’s bus guests were community leaders, clergy, bankers, realtors, business owners and people with an interest in the future of the city. He invited them on a tour through an area that his organization feels is ripe for rehabilitation.
Habitat for Humanity of Berks County (HFHBC) is working in a manner that Daley feels has a greater affect than the one-at-a-time house makeover that is typically undertaken by Habitat organizations. He is seeking blighted groups of houses and rehabilitating them into sturdy and eye catching homes for families. The effort is known as a “cluster build.”
Guests disembarked at one such cluster build, on 4th and Elm Streets, where they toured three of Habitat’s four row homes in various stages of rehabilitation. On site were HFHBC partner families, volunteers and staff who spoke to the guests about their personal experience with the project.
The houses told a silent story as guests peered into the door frame of one house entirely gutted, walked through a second, not yet dry-walled and a third freshly painted and in nearly ready-to-movein condition. The finished house boasted details such as deep windowsills, sound retardant outer walls and brick facade with sculpted relief that can rarely be found in new construction.
The houses exuded charm and the promise of a safe family refuge.
Daley and his organization stressed in a pre-tour conversation that his organization wishes to build upon efforts already undertaken. The tour route took guests past what Habitat considers the city’s strong points including Lauer’s Park Elementary School, RACC, the Goggleworks and Olivet Boys & Girls Club’s Center for the Arts and PAL. Daley considers them great resources for new homeowners and their families.
“We intend to build upon the city’s already established assets,” said Daley.
The group was reminded that partner families are required to go through the rigorous “sweat equity” that is expected of those seeking home ownership through the Habitat model. According to Habitat’s director of family services, Helen Marie Palumbo, Habitat for Humanity of Berks County provides an educational element that exceeds those of other organizations
“HFHBC Partner Families are trained in banking and home maintenance skills that allow them long term success as homeowners,” she said.
Daley asked the field trip guests to support his nonprofit’s efforts in a number of ways.
“One of the most important things we need is private funding,” said Daley, in a reference to dwindling government funding. He also mentioned the need for volunteers and donations to Habitat’s Re-Store, the organizations retail shop on Fifth Street Highway, which stocks building supplies and furniture and from which HFHBC makes an income.
Finally, Daley asked for help in identifying families who qualify as partner families.
“They are out there and it is our job to find them,” he said.
Such families are expected to meet a minimum income requirement and possess or work toward a credit rating that will allow them to make mortgage payments. Often the mortgage payment is within the same range as the family’s rent had been.
Those wishing to support Habitat for Humanity of Berks County may contact Helen Marie Palumbo at 610-373-3439, extension 301. The HFHBC website is habitatberks.org.