Wiley|Wilson is pleased to announce that Randy Vaughan, AIA, LEED AP, Vice President and Department Manager, Architectural, has been appointed to the Greater Lynchburg Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors, an appointment that recognizes his commitment to the organization and helping it provide housing solutions for the citizens of Central Virginia.

“The Greater Lynchburg Habitat for Humanity is an outstanding local organization and I am pleased to support it however I can, whether it means spending weekends completing a house or working with the Board to manage local resources and raise awareness about the group’s work,” Randy said. “I began volunteering in 2007 and in that time numerous families have realized their dream of owning a home, and I’m proud and humbled to have been a part of helping people with that effort.”

Wiley|Wilson’s involvement with Greater Lynchburg Habitat for Humanity also began in 2007, when it supported the organization’s “green build,” which was a house that included energy-efficient design approaches and other sustainable features. In 2009, the firm co-sponsored an “engineer build,” which invited engineers and design professionals from local companies to assist in constructing a home. Along with providing hands-on building assistance, the company also assists with the design and drafting of architectural plans for the various homes.

“Personally I’ve designed more than 15 new home plans and we are currently managing the inventory of stock plans,” Randy added. “Each design is different and they are unique to our local Habitat chapter.”

Randy is a Habitat “regular,” spending most Saturdays helping construct homes. The organization’s current project is a “Home for the Holidays” build. This new house is being completed in 15 days and will be dedicated on December 15 — just in time for a new family to move in for the holidays.

To be considered for a Habitat for Humanity house, families must meet specific criteria. Applicants musts demonstrate that their current housing is inadequate (cost-burdensome, unsafe, or overcrowded) and they cannot obtain housing through other means. Families must be open throughout the review process, as Habitat also evaluates their full financial situation and the percentage of monthly income being spent on housing. Applicants must currently live in the city of Lynchburg and have done so for at least a year. Families must also show they can pay the monthly mortgage. Once approved, families must complete 300 hours of “sweat equity,” working on their house and the houses of others. New homeowners must also attend homeowner classes.

“Regardless of the circumstances that lead families and individuals to connect with Habitat, the end result is always the same: an immense feeling of pride and ownership,” Randy said.