WOMEN BUILD
Why Women Build Matters
Achieving housing stability is far more difficult for women to realize than for men in similar situations. Here are just three reasons why:
- Men earn more on average than women, resulting in access to higher credit, better loans and better quality homes and neighborhoods.
- Unequal caregiving responsibilities limit a woman’s ability to dedicate the necessary time to obtaining and maintaining consistent employment and decent housing.
- Single women are denied mortgages at higher rates than single men despite the fact women are more reliable at paying back mortgages.
How Women Build Works
>> Hundreds of women come together to advance the construction of homes that oftentimes will be owned by women themselves.
>> In the months leading up to the event, these women raise money to help fund construction of the homes. In 2024, our Women Builders raised more than $740,000!
>> Each Women Builder commits to building with her team for one full day of the event and raising a minimum to participate.
>> There are two ways women can participate:
As a Team Leader, you:
- Commit to fundraising the minimum and building one day of the event
- Recruit 9 women to build and fundraise alongside you
- Motivate your team members every step of the way to ensure each hits her fundraising minimum and has a whole lot of fun in the process
- Coordinate with your team to get them registered and ready to build
As an Individual, you:
- Join a team with open spots (don’t fret, we’ll help get you placed)
- Commit to fundraising the minimum and building one day of the event alongside your assigned team
How to Become a Women Builder
Women Build 2025 will take place in October. Team leader recruitment will be from April to June, and individual recruitment will begin late July.
Learn more or add your name to our interest list by contacting us at events@habitatchicago.org.
