Housing Development Alliance, Inc.     
Building Homes, Building Community
Since 1993        

About our Regional Volunteer Program, "Hammerin' In the Hills"

When it comes to volunteers, the Housing Development Alliance mission is twofold: we seek to expand affordable housing options for families and individuals with low and very low incomes, and to facilitate a truly community-based volunteer experience.  Since 2000, we have partnered with First Presbyterian Church, located in downtown Hazard, and the City of Hazard, to host different groups from churches and colleges across the United States.

Who can volunteer?
Anyone! The Housing Development Alliance welcomes every group of up to 50, regardless of skill level.

What work will we do?
Our volunteer program focuses on new home construction and home rehabilitation. Depending on which projects and phases are occurring when you volunteer, you could be digging a footer for a new home, laying felt or shingling a roof, painting, or building a new porch for an elderly family.

Weekly/Daily Schedules

We recommend taking one day off during the week to rest & recoup, and learn more about our region.  Please tell us when you'll be doing so.

What is there for us to do at the end of the workday and on our day off?
The Housing Development Alliance has partnered with many different community members to offer a variety of cultural programming options for your evenings and days off.  Participating in these activities is one great way to enrich your volunteer experience with the Housing Development Alliance.  These activities are completely optional, but are one great way to learn more about the community and culture you are serving here in Perry County. 

We have also developed a list of tourism resources and area attractions that you can use to help plan more evening activities for your group.  Check out the Programming link to find out more about tourism resources, attractions in our region, and about the ways you can maximize your involvement with our community through our cultural programming options.

Where will we stay?
We partner with First Presbyterian Church in downtown Hazard to provide housing for volunteers.  Groups are responsible for buying and preparing their own meals.  Showers are located up the street at the community recreation center.  The church also offers the Mission Cottage, a fully furnished two-bedroom home next door to the church with 8 bunk beds and a full bath.  This space is used for groups of up to 8 volunteers or for larger groups willing to split up. To view a virtual tour of this facility, visit First Presbyterian Church's website.  Opportunities to interact with the congregation will depend upon the schedule of the week you are here.

Do we need to bring tools?
Yes.  Volunteers are required to bring safety glasses, work gloves, and work boots.  The Housing Development Alliance provides all other tools for your group; however, volunteers are encouraged to bring personal hand tools. If more specific tools are needed for the job, the Housing Development Alliance will provide them.

What else do we need to bring?
We recommend that you bring plenty of sunscreen, bug spray, and water to the worksites with you each day.  We will split larger groups into work teams of up to 7 volunteers, so you will need to distribute these items among each work team before going to the worksites each morning.  We also recommend bringing first aid kits for each work team. 

Additionally, volunteers are responsible for providing their own food throughout the week.  Each work team will need to bring sack lunches with them to the worksite each morning with plenty of water.  We will direct you to a variety of grocery stores upon your arrival in Hazard.  You will have access to a large, commercial sized kitchen with a refrigerator and stove in First Presbyterian Church and a small home-style kitchen with a refrigerator, stove and a microwave in the Mission Cottage.

Roy G. Eversole Elementary (which is located within walking distance from First Presbyterian Church) also provides breakfast and sack lunches to volunteer groups for little or no cost.  Contact Kelly if you are interested in learning more about this food program.

Lastly, we require volunteers to bring one work vehicle for each work team.  Our worksites are located primarily in Perry County, but can be anywhere from 5 to 45 minutes or more driving distance apart.

Volunteer Fee
The Housing Development Alliance depends upon a $175/week/volunteer fee to help provide materials for jobs, volunteer housing, and staff supervision. First you will need to return the volunteer application. From at point, you will have a month to return a $50 per volunteer non-refundable deposit. Your space will be reserved then.

Other Resources  
Volunteer Brochure (PDF)
Inquiry Guide (PDF)
Volunteer Stories

Interested in volunteering?
Complete the Group Volunteer Application online -OR-
Download either the Fall/Spring Application (PDF) and return to:

HPCHDA, Inc.
P.O. Box 7284
Hazard, KY 41702
Attn: Kelly Sizemore, Volunteer Coordinator

kelly@housingdevelopmentalliance.org
V: 606-436-0497
F: 606-436-0598
TDD Relay: 800-658-6056 (Hearing Impaired Only)

Building Homes,
Building Community
Since 1993

HDA, Inc.
P.O. Box 7284
Hazard, KY 41702
606.436.0497