Building something together

To ramp up its building goals in a weakening housing market, Habitat for Humanity has teamed with more area businesses than ever in an attempt to create 20 affordable homes each year by 2010.

Arundel Habitat has formed about 10 new partnerships over the past year with local firms including Severn-based Chilltrol and Bausum and Duckett Electric Co. of Edgewater to help the group lower construction costs.

These businesses provide in-kind donations for Habitat homes, which are designed for families of four with annual incomes ranging between $19,000 and $38,000.

The goal is to add even more firms such as Fence and Deck...