Howard’s Habitat

Ten years ago, Clark Howard never dreamed hed be doing what hes doing now. Its not the success of his consumer-advice radio show, books and TV appearances that surprises himits the recent construction of two houses.
From March 5 to April 3, Howard helped build his 17th and 18th houses for Habitat for Humanity, a cause he is passionate about now, although he says he didnt know the first thing about it a decade ago. He learned about the group after delivering a money-management speech to an audience of Habitat homeowners. I didn’t really know who they were or what they were aboutand when I was done I said, So, what exactly is this? Howard recalls. As the audience members explained the concept behind Habitat for Humanity, Howard says their excitement and pride at being homeowners inspired him. I was just caught up with the enthusiasm, he says.

Building excitement
In 1996, after a couple of years of fund-raising, Howard started his own project with Habitat for Humanityone that has involved listeners from 15 states pitching in. He broadcasts nationally from two build sites each year. The listeners just love it, he says. They look forward to it every year. Howard donates his speaking fees to the project, and if more money is needed, he and his wife, Lane, make up the difference.

Pride, planning and protection

If Howard had his way, the pride and sense of stability new Habitat homeowners feel would motivate every homeowner to put money faithfully each month into a home maintenance and improvement fund. People who live in condominiums are used to this because they’re forced to pay moneya condominium feeevery month. But homeowners don’t have somebody who’s standing over them saying, You will invest money in the future of your home.’ Especially for first-time homeowners, I want them to set that money aside so if something does go wrong, they’re not sitting there wondering How am I going to pay for a new furnace?’ or What am I going to do about the roof?’

Practical knowledge
For those who are up for doing their own home improvements, Howard says volunteering with Habitat for Humanity is a great way to learn the tricks of the trade. The hands-on training you get on a build site can teach you everything you need to know for your own construction project.

Office-equipment company Lanier Worldwide has sent volunteers to Howards Habitat build sites for five years. Larry Long, senior quality-assurance engineer at the companys Tucker office, agrees that the project is a great crash course for those planning work on their own homes. Its a great experience because you learn about how a lot of this stuff goes together. Theres also a lot you can learn about maintaining your own home.

A lasting gift
Corbin is among several area business owners that donate their skills and materials to the project; Corbin donates the entire HVAC system for one of Howards Habitat houses each year. Corbin is one of 35 HVAC contractors and suppliers that work with the Metropolitan Atlanta Air Conditioning Contractors Association (MAACA) to install HVAC systems in the houses that Howards project builds. Corbin says its the spirit of helping those who help themselves that drew him to the cause. The people that receive a house have helped on someone elses house, he says.

Tony Fuld, owner of Total Security Alarms in Loganville, says it was the words of an overwhelmed little boy that made him want to remain a part of the project for years to come: I finally get my own bedroom! Fuld donates and installs security systems for Howards homes. Its a good feeling, Fuld says. They finally have something thats their own.

“When I got to the [construction] warehouse, it really hit me. I started the crocodile tears rolling and I thought ‘We’re really [building] our house today.’ It’s overwhelming. I’m just overjoyed,” Cluster says. Brown agrees, “It feels great to own your own home.