Habitat for Humanity East Bay invites community members in Alameda and Contra Costa counties to don a hard hat and swing a hammer to help build homes with Bay Area limited-income families. Participants will have fun and join with hundreds of others who are helping to meet our community’s need for affordable housing in an innovative and personal way.

Volunteers can choose to work for just one day or several. Anyone 16 years of age or older can build and Habitat’s trained crew leaders teach and supervise volunteers on each home to help ensure a safe, enjoyable and rewarding day. There is no cost to participate, no previous construction experience is required and all hand tools and needed equipment are provided.

Currently, volunteers are needed for Habitat East Bay’s green developments: the first 14 houses of the 22-home Kinsell Commons development in Oakland; the last eight houses of the 54-home Edes Avenue development in Oakland; and the nine-home El Rincon development in Bay Point.

In Hayward, Antioch and Bay Point, Habitat is partnering with local government agencies as part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program. This national effort is designed to address the recent foreclosure crisis and help local communities that have been hardest hit. Habitat East Bay volunteers will help rehabilitate existing, foreclosed homes to prepare them for homeownership for new Habitat families. By volunteering, individuals can take action to help in the stabilization of local neighborhoods.

Volunteers also can learn more about green building  Habitat East Bay is recognized as one of the Bay Area’s leading nonprofit green builders, a commitment that began a decade ago. Habitat East Bay builds and certifies its home to GreenPoint Rated and LEED - Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design - standards. The Edes Avenue development will received Platinum level LEED certification. It remains dedicated to integrate green building principles of design, execution and product into its projects.  

Volunteers are needed Tuesdays through Saturdays. To register or for more information, visit www.HabitatEB.org, e-mail Volunteer@HabitatEB.org or call (510) 251-6304, Ext. 311.