By Juli Metzger—
MUNCIE, IN—Summer and fall home builds for Greater Muncie Habitat for Humanity launch this month with the Awareness Build, a five-day effort by community partners and local news, media, and strategic communication professionals.
“We have a number of micro-builds,” explained CEO Lindsey Arthur. “These are opportunities for people who work together or have another common interest, to give-back together, often on the same day.” The Awareness Build involves local media outlets including Woof Boom Radio, The Muncie Journal, Ball State Public Media, Indiana Public Radio, and NASH FM Radio, and a half dozen advertising, marketing, and public relations houses including Aspect 6 Creative, The JMetzger Group, McKinley Avenue Agency, Intersection, and Trinity A Marketing. Additionally, involved are a variety of departments from Ball State University, including the College of Communication, Information, and Media, Division of Marketing and Communications, and Chief Strategy Office Division, which includes the Office of Community Engagement, and more.
These micro-builds help create a buzz in the community and help raise money for the cause of affordable homeownership in Muncie. Examples of micro-builds include wall panel builds, like the one Navient employees have participated in since 2016; Women Build, which takes place in September and October and brings together more than 150 volunteers to build and raise funds toward the cost of a Habitat home. This year First Merchants Bank has agreed to match every Women Build gift up to $30,000, including a new Greek Build, which brings Ball State fraternities and sororities together to build homes.
In 2023, housing construction costs are up almost 30 percent, making it more challenging to build new houses. In addition, the median price of a home in Muncie in 2022 was $130,000, far exceeding what most families in our community can afford. In fact, half of the homeowners in Delaware County are considered “cost-burdened,” meaning they spend more than 30 percent of their monthly income on shelter.
“We know the difference a home can make,” Arthur said. “Shelter is the single greatest stabilizer for a community.”
Greater Muncie Habitat for Humanity partners with families in their journey towards stable housing meant to last a lifetime. The impact of a Habitat for Humanity home extends beyond the lives of Habitat’s partner families; it also has a positive effect on the entire neighborhood. Through focused efforts, in partnership with funders, other organizations, volunteers and residents, Muncie Habitat has witnessed an increase in property value, a decrease in vacancy rates, and the arrival of new families who take pride in their community.
Since its inception in 1986, Muncie Habitat for Humanity has provided new and improved housing opportunities for more than 260 families.
Consider supporting the mission of Muncie Habitat by visiting http://www.munciehabitat.org/donate.
