The affordable house that students built

Students enrolled in the home-building class at Granite Technical institute recently completed a nine-month project that will leave a legacy of their hard work for many years to come.

Through a partnership with the Utah Housing Corporation, coupled with its Educationally Constructed Housing Opportunity program, students built a new home in West Valley City at 2505 South 3460 West that will list for $190,000.

Since 1998, Utah Housing has invested more than $13 million through building more than 100 ECHO homes and provided funding of more than $950,000 in profits to school programs. There are currently six additional ECHO homes under construction. Students from the Granite Technical Institute have already built two affordable homes, and 130 students were enrolled in the program to build this three-bedroom, two-bath home. Students contributed in various ways, through general building, electrical, plumbing, cabinetry and interior design.

"The ECHO program truly makes a difference,” Utah Housing Corporation Chief Operating Officer Jonathan Hanks said. “Young people get a chance to leave a positive mark on their community, and families with modest incomes are able to achieve home ownership. This program has provided students with an opportunity during their educational experience to learn the skills of construction. Through the program, students get a taste of what the construction industry can offer them, and many have subsequently begun careers in this industry."

From the beginning, students are involved in the entire process of building the home. They begin by laying out the property on a bare piece of land. Throughout the process they learn safety, how to use different tools and all the ins and outs of building something from nothing from their teacher and general contractor Kurt Davenport.

“This is a fantastic program,” Davenport said. “I enjoy building and the personal satisfaction in it, and it is great to see the kids gain confidence and have hands-on experiences. A lot of them really excel.”

Davenport said he doesn’t expect all students to enter a career in construction, but the skills they learn can help them later. When they have homes of their own that need repair work, they will be able to use their knowledge and save themselves money down the road.

“Some students use this as a springboard into college,” Davenport said. “They have a skill that can help for college. I have even hired some of my past students to work on jobs with me.”