Habitat for Humanity is an international Christian non-profit, building new homes for sale to low-income families. Anyone may apply to buy (income limits apply), and all volunteers are welcome, regardless of skills, eperience, or faith. In the East/South Bay, Habitat has built over 500 homes, with 10-20 typically under construction at any time. Habitat also sometimes rehabilitates older homes, helping veterans and seniors to safely stay there. Details on how families can qualify for a home are here.
Visit www.habitatebsv.org for more information.
(Enlarge any picture in a new window by clicking on it -- click "back" to return to this page.)
As a site electrician, Mike's main contribution at this site has been the temporary power installations. These supply power for the tool containers and office trailer, as well as for all the saws, air compressors, etc. needed during construction.
Here's some pictures, starting with the vacant land, and up to today, where you can see all four buildings of Phase I. The buildings have been painted, and have their solar panels on their roofs, with most remaining work going on inside.
While Esperanza Place is Habitat's BIG project, Mike recently completed lots of electrical work at a 90-year old Victorian home in Oakland that Habitat was re-doing. He's also been working at the newly opened Concord ReStore (Habitat's version of a thrift shop). The building was formerly a furniture store, and needed a lot of remodeling and customizing for the Habitat operation.
Last year, Mike worked in Fremont at a 30-condo project, now complete. In addition, Mike was involved in Habitat's efforts helping the City of San Jose with some "sleeping cabins" for homeless people: almost 200 cabins are now on their permanent sites, with bathrooms, showers, laundry, kitchens, etc. in common buildings.
Several years ago, Mike worked, doing mainly electrical work, at a Habitat 20-home development in Martinez, now finished and occupied by the new owners. Here's some pictures from that project, from vacant lots to final completion, in just under 3 years.
Here's Mike and some of the volunteer electrical team, all looking smug, after building inspectors said "two thumbs up" for their work on some recent homes. (Habitat developments get the same inspections a "for profit" home builder would.)
In addition to putting in panels, switches, plugs, and lights, Mike is part of the Habitat Speakers Bureau, and frequently gives talks to service clubs and other groups, seeking volunteers or donations.
BUILDING LOCATIONS STARTING SOON
Pacifica Landing--Bay Point 29 new town-homes; Construction starts plans approved by County October 2023
