organization & cause

Based on the looks several of my family members gave me when I told them my summer-after -graduation plans, you might have some of these (or similar) questions:
So what the heck is this? How are you doing this? And why do I care?

Bike & Build is a non-profit organization that facilitates and coordinates cross country bicycle trips that benefit affordable housing groups by funding projects planned and executed by young adults.  Over the past 10 years, Bike & Build has donated more than $4.5 million, built over 160,000 hours, pedaled over 7.5 million miles, and engaged
over 2000 young adults in spreading the word about affordable housing.


While I'll be participating in the Central US Route (from Virginia Beach, VA to Cannon Beach, OR) there are a total of eight east-to-west coast routes that share a common mission of raising awareness, raising funds, and actively engaging in efforts to alleviate the affordable housing crisis.

Crisis? That's a big word to be throwing around.
But now that I've got your attention, let's define affordable housing first.  The Department of Housing and Urban Development considers affordable housing that which the rent/mortgage, property taxes, and essential utilities of a safe and adequate home does not exceed 30% of a family's pre-tax income.

That's cool and all, but where's the fire? Well here are a few choice not-so-fun facts:
- In 2009, 18.5 million households payed considerable more than 30% of their income toward housing.
- 1 in 7 poor families live in homes that are structurally unsound or lack electricity, indoor plumbing, hot water, or other basic components.
- Even if we raise a minimum wage to $17/hr, nearly 11 million people would face "worst case needs" meaning they receive no government housing assistance, make less than 50% of the median area income, pay more than 50% of their income toward rent and utilities, and live in housing conditions with severe physical deficiencies.

So how are we helping by riding our bikes?
Well, each rider raises at least $4500 to participate.  Affordable housing organizations apply for grants.  At the end of the summer, we get to decide what grants get funded.  Not only that, but en route, we stop in several different cities and get to lay hands on houses and help to build more houses.  More houses equals more affordable housing options.