Public Employee Press

Housing chair helps Carter on Habitat for Humanity

DC 37 Housing Committee Chair Robert Ajaye traded his laptop for a nail gun in October as a volunteer rebuilding homes with Habitat for Humanity.

"Hanging Sheetrock is a lot different from my day job," said Ajaye, a mainframe computer Programmer for the city and the president of Electronic Data Processing Personnel Local 2627.

"There are a lot of vacant properties across the city," Ajaye said. "When neighborhoods have a lot of boarded-up homes, it brings down property values and hurts the community."

Rebuild, revitalize

Ajaye and a busload of volunteers, including some DC 37 retirees, helped rehabilitate five abandoned homes in Ozone Park, Queens. Habitat bought the properties from the city for about $12,000 each and sold the one Ajaye worked on to a family of four for about $120,000.

"This work definitely helps improve the neighborhood and gives families who could not normally afford a home a chance to own one," Ajaye said. The purchaser also volunteers 200 hours of community service, usually by working to improve his or her property.

On the rebuilding project, Ajaye met President Jimmy Carter, 89, and his wife, Rosalynn, who have volunteered with Habitat for Humanity since 1984.

"President Carter is still energetic and works on houses. Hammering, sawing, climbing ladders - he does it all," said Ajaye.

"We had someone from Habitat for Humanity speak at the union's housing seminar about purchasing a home through the nonprofit program," said Ajaye, explaining his involvement with the group. "I wanted to get personally involved and give my support."

Habitat for Humanity, now in its 30th year, has refurbished more than 500,000 homes worldwide, and 260 houses in New York City.

The volunteer effort was nourished by food prepared and donated by a local restaurant. Dow Corning and Home Depot donated building materials and some of their employees pitched in at the rehab sites.

Hoping to enlist other volunteers from the union for a Habitat project next year, Ajaye said, "In the spring I hope more DC 37 members will join me. It will let communities know the union is out here with Habitat for Humanity, and we will volunteer our time and energy to help rebuild homes and revitalize neighborhoods."

— DSW