Habitat to Build Panelized Duplex in Warehouse

January 17, 2008

MEDIA ADVISORY:
American Family Insurance Volunteer Construction Days:
Saturday Jan. 26 and Feb. 2, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
1422 Packers Ave., Madison

Contact: Cheryl McCollum, cmccollum@habitatdane.org, 255-1549, ext. 114, or 658-8158 (cell)

Habitat to Build Duplex Inside Packers Avenue Warehouse
Home will earn Fortified ... for safer living® designation for disaster resistance
(MADISON, WI) – Habitat for Humanity of Dane County and its volunteers will construct its first-ever panelized Fortified ... for safer living® home. It is the first duplex built to the "Fortified" standard and only the second time a "Fortified" home has been constructed in Wisconsin. Indoor construction of the panels began Jan. 19 and will continue this Saturday from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at a warehouse on Packers Avenue.

The Fortified…for safer living® designation is granted by the Institute for Business & Home Safety, a national nonprofit initiative of the insurance industry.  “Fortified” criteria raise a home’s overall disaster resistance above the minimum requirement of building codes.  The”Fortified” program pays extra attention to areas especially vulnerable to disasters, including doors and windows, roof construction, connections and the foundation.

Panelized construction is a high-tech approach where pre-engineered wall sections are built indoors. When construction is complete, the wall sections are shipped to the building site for final construction. A panelized home is weather tight in just a few days.

“Panelized construction means warmer indoor construction conditions for our Habitat for Humanity of Dane County volunteers,” said Bob Huppe, construction manager at HFHDC. “This is the main reason we are doing this, so we can provide nice and comfortable conditions for our volunteers.”

At the request of home sponsor American Family Insurance, HFHDC decided to build the duplex to the "Fortified" standards so it would have a hail resistant roof, a roof that will better hold up against ice dams, proper insulation, sealants and weather stripping. The home also has wall system requirements so it can better withstand tornados. This will only be the second Fortified home in Wisconsin.

One side of the duplex will be handicapped accessible for future Habitat homeowner Leah Miller. The other side of the duplex will accommodate any future disabilities for homeowner Diane Johnson.

The home is being sponsored by American Family Insurance and will be constructed with the families and the employees of the Madison-based insurance company. The duplex will be one of nine duplexes in the Oak Glen development, located within the Twin Oak subdivision in Madison. The area is being developed by the Wisconsin Housing Partnership.

Future Habitat Homeowners
Diane Johnson has three adult children and is a foster parent with Dane County. She works at Madison Metropolitan School District. Due to the fact that Diane has rheumatoid arthritis, the home will be built to accommodate any future disability needs.

“I know the pride of owning a home will give me the security and peace of mind that foster children living with me can feel totally comfortable and not worry about leaving a little mark on the wall,” said Johnson. “Thank you all for making my life better than ever by having a home of my own and giving me the American Dream. I will be forever grateful to all of you and I will pass on your kindness to others.”

Despite her cerebral palsy, Leah Miller, who is wheel chair bound, has always tried to be as independent as possible. “I was fortunate enough to be able to move out of my mother’s home when I was 17 and have been on my own ever since,” said Miller. She adds that it has been a struggle throughout the years because most apartment complexes haven’t been able to accommodate her needs. She added that the area she currently lives doesn’t feel safe, so she says she’s thrilled to move to a “safe neighborhood” that meets her needs.

In addition to working at Home Health United, Miller is an avid adaptive power soccer player in Madison. She received the 2007 MSCR Award for Outstanding Program Achievement for her work in bringing an adaptive power soccer program to Madison.

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Habitat for Humanity of Dane County provides simple, decent, affordable housing for families who might not otherwise become homeowners. Eligible families pay monthly mortgage payments on a 0% interest loan, and contribute 300 to 350 hours of sweat equity in the building of their homes and an additional 25 hours helping other Habitat homeowners build their homes. For more information, call 608-255-1549 or visit www.habitatdane.org.