On the corner of Howard and Navarro in Pasadena stands two homes built with over 750 volunteers, committed corporate partnerships, youth and faith-based organizations and generous donors.
Years ago, on this site, there was a liquor store that attracted undesirable behavior in the neighborhood. After it burned down twice, it became a community garden which eventually became untended to and overgrown. Then came SGV Habitat.
When SGV Habitat began construction last May, the corner represented a new beginning for the neighborhood and the two families who now call this site home. “Everybody thinks about the City of Pasadena as ‘The Rose Bowl’ or ‘The Parade of Roses’—no, it’s about the people. The people are the most important part of our community,” District 1 Councilmember Tyron Hampton said when he welcomed the families to his district during the home dedication.
Each of the families have put in hundreds of hours working on these homes. Families contribute “sweat equity” or volunteer hours working on the construction site, at events and in the ReStore as part of the homeownership program. Rene was volunteering and put in nearly 400 hours on the project before his family knew they had been qualified to purchase this home.
“I was having fun working on the house, meeting the other volunteers, even before I knew that this would be our home. I will still put in hours even after we move in. It is a good feeling to volunteer and help others,” says Rene.
Thanks to the support of volunteers, donors, corporate sponsors, city, and state officials, they can thrive in the community they love with the support system of family and friends.
