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Dangerous Foundations

I am apprehensive of this news: Habitat for Humanity builds a home in 7 days.

Here's why:

  1. Volunteers are doing a great deal of the work.
  2. They'll be "working around the clock" to finish the project.
  3. "Habitat house usually take 10 weeks to build."
  4. They'll be using materials obtained both from direct donations and purchased with cash charity.
  5. "Houses are sold at no profit, with no interest charged on the mortgage."

Here is my concern.

Unskilled volunteers are trying to build a family home with donated materials as fast as they can to complete the project in 1/10th the normal time and are doing so without the economic discipline of a profit-seeking enterprise. That seems like far too much to chew. I am honestly worried this house will suffer from quality problems.

I'm aware the builders are supervised and some have done this in the past and have a good sense of what they're doing. I'm aware it isn't likely the donated materials that get used will be rotted, useless junk. I'm aware Habitat for Humanity does take some minimal steps to assure the homeowners can actually make their mortgage payments and therefore injects a little market reality into the process.

However, combining all of the above concerns into a single housing project seems to significantly raise the risk of a flawed home in my eyes. I hope Alexander Anyaehie and his kids get a good home, but I think it would pay to monitor the project at each step of the way.

Posted by drizzten on October 3, 2005 10:25 AM |

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