Palmer Homes pulls out all stops to build home benefiting Bend area Habitat for Humanity

Feb 13,2007 00:00 by Bend_Weekly_News_Sources

"Blitz Build" in Palmer's Gardenside Community Will Produce Finished Home in One Week, Raise a Minimum of $70,000 for Cornerstone Campaign

(Bend, Oregon) Palmer Homes' Gardenside neighborhood in southeast Bend has already seen more than its share of construction activity, and this spring will be no different as Palmer Homes teams up with its vendors, suppliers and sub-contractors to complete a "Blitz Build" of one of its homes as a benefit for Bend Area Habitat for Humanity's Cornerstone Campaign. The Cornerstone Campaign is part of Bend Area Habitat for Humanity's on-going effort to secure affordable land for housing within Bend's Urban Growth Boundary.

The Habitat Home is being constructed to the same exacting standards as every Palmer Home, and will be sold to the general public just like any other home they build. The difference: the Habitat Home will be built in one week, with all proceeds generated from the sale -- a minimum of $70,000 -- helping to further the philosophy of the Bend Area Habitat for Humanity to offer families: "A hand up, not a hand out."

"We've been in the business of building communities in Central Oregon for 30 years -- Habitat for Humanity has been in the business of strengthening them for just as long," said Vern Palmer, president of Palmer Homes. "By doing what we do best, and with the help of our employees, vendors, suppliers and trade partners, we can in turn help the Bend Area Habitat for Humanity reach its future goals in our community."

Scheduled for construction on Lot 16 in Gardenside, the completed single-family home will front Gardenside Park. As with all homes in Gardenside, the home will be certified Energy Star, Earth Advantage and Water Wise, placing it among the most energy efficient homes in Bend.

In order to maximize the home's value -- and subsequently the amount of the contribution that is made to Bend Area Habitat for Humanity -- Palmer Homes is working with numerous local vendors, sub-contractors and suppliers to acquire materials and labor at a discount, or to secure no-cost upgrades for many items throughout the house.

"We're thrilled that Palmer Homes has chosen us as the beneficiary of this project," said Cynthia Jurgensen, community relations coordinator for Bend Area Habitat for Humanity. "Our need to acquire affordable land for future Habitat projects has reached a critical level, and through the generosity of organizations such as Palmer Homes we will be able to continue to serve the Bend community and further our mission."