‘Women Build’ with Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity, to aid affordable housing crisis

Colorado Spring is facing an affordable housing crisis. The average monthly cost of renting an apartment in the area just surpassed $1,200 for the first time, according to the Colorado Division of Housing and the Apartment Association of Southern Colorado. Now, women are trying to help — one house at a time.

The construction site on Dale Street has all the things you might expect.

Hammers, scaffolding, and large piles of wood.

But the hot pink sneakers and gloves to match might take you by surprise.

“Construction sites are historically a man’s realm,” said Donor Relations Manager for Pike’s Peak Habitat for Humanity, Sarah Bunch. She says Habitat for Humanity is hosting quarterly “Women Build” events.

These events are ways women can help other women and children, the populations most affected by poor living conditions.

“Come out to volunteer with us,” she said, “You don’t have to have any construction experience.”

Laura LeGrand works at Collins Aerospace and is one such volunteer.

“We always look for at least one opportunity per quarter to get out and do some community volunteer work,” she said. LeGrand joined more than two dozen other volunteers to build on the home and says she can’t wait to see the finished product.

Habitat is also working on a home ion Falcon. So far, Women Build volunteers have funded and built four homes in El Paso County by building on the construction site and promoting community awareness for the program. They will have more Women Build opportunities coming up in November.