Construction, real estate industry to repair, build homes in Tijuana; annual Baja Challenge helps families in need.

Dozens of local contractors, architectural and brokerage firms have committed their time and money to building and rebuilding homes for low-income families this summer despite a slow economy.

"The volunteers have seen the value in taking one day out of their schedule to donate their time and materials to do something they are good at," said Allison Beall, executive committee member of Baja Challenge, a San Diego organization formed to bring together volunteers to build houses south of the border.

Beall, director of business development at San Diego-based Pacific Building Group, says 30 simple houses will be built in just one day in the ninth annual event this month.

Hundreds of real estate professionals plan to trek into east Tijuana on Sept. 20 and make a difference by building houses for families that live in makeshift shacks with dirt floors and leaky roofs.

The annual gathering supports Project Mercy, a nonprofit aimed at improving basic living standards and quality of life for impoverished families in east Tijuana. Project Mercy selects families based on need and "sweat equity" assistance given to build homes for their neighbors.

Baja Challenge is open to all real estate-related businesses, including commercial real estate firms, contractors, subcontractors, architects, banks, title companies, residential brokerages and developers.

Teams Responsible For Funds

Each team is responsible for raising the $3,750 cost of materials per house and providing a volunteer building crew to construct the home. An additional $750 can be donated to provide an outhouse for the family.

Teams are set to meet in Otay Mesa at 6 a.m. to pick up materials before heading across the border and putting in a 12-hour day to build 16-by-20-foot homes with lofts.

"Even with the industry becoming more difficult and more competitive, participants see it as money and time well spent," said Beall. "It is a way for the industry as a whole, including residential and commercial, to participate as a team."

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NTD Architecture signed to build two houses this year. The local architectural firm has participated in Baja Challenge for the last five years. In addition to building houses, NTD hosts fundraisers in the office to purchase household items for families.

The design firm also recently joined numerous other volunteers in rebuilding a house this side of the border.

The San Diego office of Gilbane Building Co. brought together dozens of volunteers and donations from Bill Howe Plumbing Co., Mission Valley Pipe & Supply, Edco, Ferrin Construction Inc., Geyer Plumbing Inc., Masson & Associates Inc., RSI Roofing Inc., Southern California Soils & Testing Inc., Test America Environmental Microbiology Laboratory Inc. and NTD Architecture to repair and renovate the home of an active military family in Encanto. The three-bedroom, one-bath home was in desperate need of mold remediation and repairs.

"Working with Gilbane to help out members of our own community, especially those who contribute so much themselves, gives us a great sense of pride and accomplishment," said Susan Ryan, who handles educational facility planning and government relations for NTD.