Project Details

Semester project

A report titled “Habitat That” was produced by students in Planning for Nonprofits (PLAC 5500), an Urban and Environmental class offered in the Spring 2011 semester. PLACs are based on a studio model of collaborative team work which results in a report for use by the client. Our client was the local Habitat Store, a nonprofit organization that generates revenue for the local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity by selling building and household goods to make home maintenance affordable. The majority of the merchandise has been donated by individuals and businesses. The Store’s secondary mission is to recycle goods that would otherwise go the landfill.  All profits from the Store go toward construction of Habitat for Humanity homes in Charlottesville and the surrounding counties. In past years, profits from the Store have contributed to the construction of two-to-three houses a year. Our goal was to increase community awareness of the Store among potential customers and among people who might donate items for sale. The academic component of the course focused on affordable housing, especially low-income homeownership, as a component of community development.