Despite Austin’s housing market challenges, nine women are paving the way for women homeowners, providing homes and wealth building opportunities.
By Tatum Sommer
Photos by Korey Howell with Korey Howell Photography
Austin’s fast-paced housing market leaves an abundance of people struggling to get their foot in the door, many of them teachers, first responders and single mom’s seeking a safe place to raise their kids. This year, 10 passionate women, Melinda Garvey, Neha Sampat, Ana Ruelas, Nikelle Meade, Nicole Nosek, Lurleen Ladd, Komal Sheth, Kelly Outlaw, Andra Liemandt and Michele Anderson, decided to help to shift this reality. Alongside Austin Habitat for Humanity, these individuals advocate for women by committing money and time to women’s housing initiatives. They are a part of the inaugural class of the Women Build Network. The Women Build Network is a community dedicated to uplifting women, starting with safe and affordable housing.
Nicole Nosek, Austin Habitat board member and inaugural member of The Women Build Network, puts it perfectly: “We live in a city and, more so, a state that is becoming increasingly difficult to attain the American dream of homeownership. People, families, firefighters, businesses and communities can’t thrive when they’re unable to putdown roots in homeownership. Having faced exorbitant housing costs in the past with a middle-income salary, I have been there and want to step up to change the system through Austin Habitat for Humanity and policy changes.”
As founder of Austin-based nonprofit The Kindness Campaign, Andra Liemandt deeply understands the importance of leaning into support a cause to affect real and meaningful change. “My father, uncle and grandparents were all homebuilders, so growing up, I got to see people’s lives absolutely changed by a well-built home,”says Liemandt. “It’s an honor for me to serve with the Women Build Network for Habitat for Humanity, and help other women experience the joy, pride and stability that comes with homeownership.
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that has been championing women homeowners through their work for over 30 years with women-build days, an opportunity for women to put on a hard hat, grab some tools and build homes in their communities. By taking these women-build days and expanding upon them, Austin Habitat and The Women Build Network help fund and build these homes and set up the new residents with vital homeownership skills. Homeownership can be daunting, so Habitat is setting new homeowners up for success, with certified home counselors who help with critical skills like creating budgets, teaching basic household repairs and more.
“It is such an honor to be part of Austin Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build Network Initiative in collaboration with Giveback Homes. Leading this build alongside my team has been a profoundly rewarding experience,” says Ana Ruelas, founder and managing partner of the Agency Austin and co-owner of Austin Woman magazine. “Seeing the dedication and unselfish contributions of my colleagues at The Agency Austin has been both humbling and inspiring. It’s a reminder of the significant impact we can make when we unite for a common cause. I am grateful for the opportunity to uplift local families in such a meaningful way.”
Michele Anderson, CEO of Austin Habitat for Humanity, reveals that “65% of female homeowners are single moms.” This surprising statistic inspired many people like Melinda Garvey, founder of Austin Woman magazine, to give back to these strong women. Garvey explains, “Once I learned the percentage of women heads of households that Austin Habitat serves, it started to resonate with me. I look back at my own life, and I was lucky to get into the property game early and it is a significant factor in my own wealth-building journey. I want to make sure that all women have that same opportunity.”
The Women Build Network is about rallying women to invest “time and treasure to help other women,” says Garvey. By donating, these women will help provide other women with a safe space to call home. The Women Build Network truly encapsulates the phrase “women supporting women.”
This initiative is about giving women a chance to take control of their financial future. Anderson emphasizes that “home ownership is the number one way to build wealth in America.” Increasing the number of women homeowners is essential to fight rising financial and economic inequality in the U.S. The Women Build Network members recognize that buying a home is not just a piece of property but an investment in one’s future. They are taking steps to raise money to make this a more attainable future for the women in their communities.
Neha Sampat, founder and CEO of Contentstack and one of the owners ofAustin Woman Magazine, explains that “This awareness campaign is unique in its endeavors because it focuses on the specific issue of women’s housing and shelter. By highlighting the importance of women’s homeownership and rallying support from women themselves, it brings attention to the unique challenges faced by women in accessing safe and affordable housing. It not only raises awareness but also encourages women to take action and make a difference in the lives of other women.”
The Women Build Network hosts multiple events to raise money and awareness for its cause. It has four Women Build days, two in the fall and two in the spring, where women can go into the field and help physically build these homes. The network also hosts networking events with the community, and it will be recognized at Builders Ball, Austin Habitat for Humanity’s annual gala that helps raise money to increase affordable housing opportunities
Gte Involved! Important Fall Dates:
- The Women Build days take place on October 3 and 5, 2024
- The Builders Ball will take place on November 2, 2024
For more information on joining tThe Women Build Network contact Amy at 512-884-5164 or email ajackson@ahfh.org.