September 29, 1994: Vol26n4: 1994 SEFA Campaign: Building homes for 'Habitat'

Each year, through Habitat for Humanity, UB architecture students help
build houses for low-income families in Buffalo. The experience
provides the non-profit organization with sophisticated volunteers for
projects, while giving students hands-on experience.
	The association with Habitat began in 1992 when Richard
Yencer, instructional support technician in the School of Architecture
and Planning and a volunteer with Habitat since its creation, heard
from recent alumni that they felt the architecture curriculum would
benefit from training in "real-world" construction.
	"The students had no idea how buildings and houses were put
together in real life," said Yencer. "They didn't have hands-on
experience."
	That first year, UB student crews built two Habitat homes in
just three weeks. Last winter, they installed plumbing, wiring and
heating systems for a house and put in drywall and painted. This past
summer, a new UB crew built most of a small, three-bedroom house.
	Students' reactions have been extraordinary. Some thought the
construction project should be a required part of the degree. Many
said they had a new respect for construction workers and for the
difficulties they face working with an architect's plans. They note
that on an architectural drawing everything is perfect, but that's not
the case at the site. They needed to find ways to make the project
work in the field, even when it meant inventing new devices to solve
problems. The experience also required the students to become familiar
with a neighborhood they probably would not have gone into otherwise.
	"Here's an example of UB getting directly involved in the city
to make it a better place," said one student.
	Part of the experience involves understanding how Habitat for
Humanity works, Yencer explained, including the social impact of the
program.
	Habitat provides houses for low-income families, who, in order
to qualify, must themselves do 600 hours of work for the organization.
Families who qualify for the program receive a no-interest mortgage
from Habitat.
	Ben Pollard, a student, explained that in addition to
providing families with sound, affordable houses, the construction of
new homes through Habitat provides the city with taxpayers and more
stable neighborhoods. A New York City native, Pollard said the project
has inspired him to start a non-profit architectural firm to build
low-income housing in the Bronx.
	Habitat also benefits. Jack Neitz, a Habitat supervisor, said
the architecture students are a little more mature and educated than
some other students that volunteer. "They're able to read the drawings
and get to work," he said. "They're great workers and they're getting
good, practical experience."