The 2005 Good News House was built in Ypsilanti, at 837 Monroe Street, near Perry Elementary School.  It is a one-story home, with three bedrooms.  For the first time, our House was built as an "Energy Star House!" This means it has thicker walls, more insulation, less air leakage, etc. - all of which should result in a savings on energy bills each month for our partner family.  Upon completion, the house was certified by a qualified person to receive this rating. 

As Habitat already owned the lot, there were no initial delays in getting started - a problem we have sometimes encountered in the past.  The lot did not require "clearing" of trees and underbrush, but it was necessary to remove an existing storage facility before the building process could begin. 




In 2005, we enjoyed working with the Lee family as our partner.  Looking forward to having a home of their own, the Lee family consisted of Mother, Jennifer and daughter, Adrienne.  Adrienne was 6 years old at the time and just finishing the first grade. 

Jennifer was a pre-school teacher at an Annie's Children Center, having worked there for four years.  But she was also a junior at Eastern Michigan University the summer the house was being built - majoring in Reading and minoring in Early Childhoold Care.

Grandma and Grandpa Lee and several aunts and uncles also provided a lot of help while building the house!

The Good News House 2005 was one of five houses built in Washtenaw County in the spring of 2005 through the sponsorship of the Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley affiliate. Two of them were built as part of the "June Blitz" associated with Jimmy Carter's visit to Michigan. 

Primary responsibility for building and financing the Good News House was shared by members, friends and volunteers from the 17 sponsoring churches, under the direction of the House Leaders - Bob Whitacre and Bill Dunphy, with the assistance of Dan Teare.  These three gentlemen provided remarkable support! 

For a photo summary of the 2005 build, please click here.