For the second year in a row, members of the Economic Development and Housing Team have spent time volunteering with Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay Women Build, contributing over 120 hours to the Rodeo Creek Court project. The 11 affordable single-family home development broke ground in August 2020 and our team was able to contribute to the seventh, eighth, and 11th home from pouring concrete, to tiling bathrooms, painting interiors and playhouses, to dismantling an old chicken coop on an adjacent property in order to reuse the materials for a treehouse to be built on the property.

The demographics of the homeowners and their families are vast and include:

• Five teachers
• One disabled veteran
• 20 children
• Two seniors
• Six single-parent households, some including caring for elderly parents
• Two families that lost their rental homes in the CZU fire

Other notables from the project are that it will include an organic community garden and children’s play area. The community garden will be in memory of Ron Buswell, an inspirational Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay leader and dedicated volunteer.

Supporting Habitat for Humanity on their build days has quickly become one of our team’s favorite activities, especially being able to interact with some of the homeowners as they are all required to contribute 500 hours of sweat equity as part of homeownership. Special thanks to New Leaf Community Markets in Downtown Santa Cruz for donating sandwiches as well as Habitat for Humanity Volunteer & Events Manager Allie Wilson and homeowner Veronica Hart for preparing our meal to keep our team and the wonderful Rodeo Creek Court crew fueled.

The Rodeo Creek Court project was designed by architect William Kempf and is set to be completed in June 2024. Another project slated for Watsonville is to follow. Sign up to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay here (no construction experience necessary).