Sartell Habitat for Humanity Build Already Nearly Complete

(KNSI) – It’s only February and already there is a nearly complete home sitting outside of Sartell High School.

For the second year, the school is teaming up with Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity and instructor Joe Schulte tells KNSI this year’s edition has gone much smoother than the program’s first build.

“We’ve taken a process that took all year last year or all four quarters and we were able to do it in three quarters this year; first, second, and fourth quarter of the school year.”

Schulte expands on why it is important to be able to wrap construction during the coldest months. “What that did too, as well, is right now we’re in the dead of winter and we don’t have to heat this place, pay for that ,and stretch that build process out. So, it’s a little bit more efficient and cost efficient.”

Sartell is one of three area schools that has a construction program teamed up with the well-known nonprofit. Schulte says the SabreCon 2 home will wind up in a neighborhood in St. Cloud later this year, where it be occupied by a first-time buyer.

A team of 20 seniors has been active on the ranch-style home. One of those students is Holden Evenson. Even though he is an upperclassman, this is Evenson’s first time trying his hand at construction. He says it is more complicated than he was expecting.

“There was a lot more than I thought it was going to be. There’s a lot more to building a house than I originally thought, and so it’s nice to learn everything that goes into it.”

Evenson says his favorite part has been putting in insulation and drywall.

Senior Taeden Lyman says the impact it will have in the community is not lost on him or his fellow students.

“My favorite experience is being able to work with my friends on something that’s going to mean something to somebody else. It’s going to change their — essentially change their lives and how they live.”

Students at Sartell build the frame, ensure it is up to code, install the walls and insulation, attach the roof and help complete the finishing trim. Community college students partner with the team to do the plumbing and electrical work. Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity also has contractors who add small touches to the project.

Schulte says the waiting list for next year is already at 60 people, well above the number that can be accepted. Schulte has a background in masonry and says he had to learn the carpentry aspect of what it takes to build a home. He says he puts a lot of responsibility on his students, which gives them an honest look at what a construction career would look like.

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