This Giving Tuesday, you have the opportunity to be part of something truly transformative. Habitat DC-NOVA has the immense honor and the privilege of upholding the legacy of Phil Savarie, who passed in the summer of 2023. Through the Phil’s House campaign envisioned and spearheaded by his wife Sarah Savarie, a community of Phil’s friends, family, and colleagues are fundraising $100,000 to build a Habitat home in Phil’s name as part of our Glebe View townhomes development.
Scroll to read more about the Glebe View Townhomes, as well as Phil's story and the incredible legacy his family is building through Phil’s House.
The Glebe View Townhomes is an exciting new partnership construction project in the City of Fairfax. Habitat DC-NOVA is working alongside Fairfax Presbyterian Church, HomeAid, and Homestretch to build 10 townhomes on a portion of the Church's parking lot, each with 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, an attached garage, Earthcraft certification and solar panels.
Eight homes will be sold to income-qualified households through Habitat’s first-time homebuyer program. The remaining two homes will be sold to Homestretch, a partner nonprofit offering supportive housing to women and families exiting homelessness. The Glebe View townhomes will be permanently affordable using a ground lease structure similar to a community land trust model. By separating the ownership of the land and the homes, the cost to purchase is further reduced for future homebuyers.
Make your donation go twice as far!
The Savarie family will generously match gifts dollar for dollar this Giving Tuesday. Double your impact and support local families in building strength, stability, and shelter through affordable homeownership this Giving Tuesday!
Remembering Phil
Philip “Phil” Savarie was a devoted father and husband, a highly respected peer in the construction industry, and a beloved neighbor of Alexandria. He met his wife, Sarah, in Alexandria, where they started out as friends, and after 12 years of friendship, they began their relationship and married in 2004. A passionate “project guy,” Phil embraced a significant project by adding to their home, always ensuring the expansion met Sarah’s needs and blended seamlessly with their existing space. Together with Sarah, he raised their two daughters, Bea and Lucy, and created a connected and engaged life in their community.
As an engineer in the construction industry, Phil built meaningful relationships with everyone he encountered. He worked at Gould Property Company, where he built strong, and lasting relationships with his colleagues. His genuine ability to connect earned him the affectionate title of “Mayor of East Luray,” reflecting his commitment to his neighbors and his ability to be a “connector” – through which he could support his co-workers, friends, and neighbors.
In 2023, when Phil passed away, his family turned to Habitat for Humanity of Washington, D.C. & Northern Virginia (Habitat DC-NOVA), requesting donations in his memory instead of flowers. Phil had volunteered with Habitat for Humanity during college, and his fond memories of building alongside his friend Dave were cherished. The outpouring of support and moving notes to his family highlighted how deeply Phil was loved and the profound impact he had on those around him.
Inspired by this generosity, Sarah envisioned a tribute to Phil that would continue his legacy of kindness and love. She recalls, “While planning the service, I thought of asking for donations to Habitat. Then, the idea struck me—could we build a house in Phil’s name? And it turned out we could.” The family set a goal to raise $100,000 for the Glebe View Townhomes project. Thanks to the contributions of family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues, Phil’s House is steadily moving toward this goal. Join us in this remarkable initiative by donating to Phil’s House, supporting eight families in becoming first-time homebuyers in Fairfax, Virginia.
Messages From Phil's Friends and Family
'A builder, by profession and by passion'
'I have lived two doors down from Phil and his wonderful family for over ten years. Phil was a generous person, always putting others first. He would go out of his way to help his neighbors and friends. Outgoing and funny, Phil loved to throw a party. He and I shared an interest in classic cars, which he was always happy to discuss. Most of all, Phil was a builder, by profession and by passion. At work, he built magnificent buildings. At home, he built a stronger community, rooted in caring for neighbors. I can’t think of a more appropriate tribute to Phil Savarie’s life than the construction of Phil’s House, a house that will change the lives of people who Phil never met.'
- Will Shen, friend and neighbor
'The ultimate 'Mr. Fix-It'
'A message about Phil to the new residents of Glebe View Townhomes: Phil was one of the kindest, friendliest, and most welcoming people we have ever known. He always greeted others with a smile and wanted to know what was happening in their lives and how they were doing. He truly cared about everyone. He was the ultimate “people person.” Phil was also the ultimate “Mr. Fix-It” – always repairing things around his and his neighbors’ houses as well as creating unique ways for his cat and dog to let themselves in and out of the house. His love of fixing things also involved tinkering with and repairing old cars and trucks. He was always there to lend a hand to a neighbor, friend, or stranger in need. A favorite memory: Thanks to Phil’s kindness and concern, a horrible situation for us became a wonderful memory that we will always cherish. Many years ago when we had 2 young boys and were renovating our house, we ended up with a very unscrupulous contractor who ultimately abandoned our job and left us with a partially renovated house open to the elements (including an onslaught of 17-year cicadas and multiple nesting birds and wasps). To say that our house was a complete disaster and that I was stressed beyond belief is an understatement. No other contractor was willing to take over and complete our job. Phil, in his calm manner and soothing voice, told us that he felt certain that his contractor would be able to help us. And true to his word, Phil’s contractor did help us! They were able to complete our job after removing and re-doing the prior contractor’s poor workmanship. The most amazing part of this story, which truly exemplifies Phil’s kind and generous nature, is that his and Sarah’s house was currently being renovated by this wonderful man. Yet, Phil and Sarah let us “borrow” him and his subs to complete the remainder of our job before their job was finished. I will never forget this kindness!'
- Anne Link, longtime friend and Sarah's college roommate
'If someone needed help...Phil was there'
'Phil would love seeing what is happening with Habitat. Phil was one of the most caring and giving people I have ever met. If someone needed help with their yard, their car, their house or with anything, Phil was there. Phil helped me in many ways when I moved into my first house. I leaned on Phil and he was always happy to help even if it was something silly like hanging a gigantic old refrigerator door so I could display my magnet collection. Or helping me return a dining room table that had warped and no longer opened to add the leaves. Phil could always find a way to fix something or make it work. Phil had a huge heart and truly cared about people and giving back.'
- Debbie Silard, longtime friend
'He built things to last for his community'
'Phil was a builder!! Both literally and figuratively. Whether it was coaching a soccer team or a community event or a fundraiser. Phil wasn't just a one and done type of person. He was always thinking about building something to last whether it be a house or our community. His daughter's soccer team. He started coaching when his daugther Bea was in kindergarten...he coached and supported that team for 10 years until high school! The Big Flea at the Mount Vernon Community School. He donated time, his truck, and the storage space for the Big Flea for years. Adding to that, he created the Mount Vernon Community School Pumpkin Patc. He created Bingo night at MVCS. He created the Flocking program. He created these events and activities in his community that continue on today. Like a house...he built things to last for his community. Not sure that this short list even does Phil justice. When you talk about someone who was a part of the community...Phil was the definition of community! He was remarkable in every way. We miss him but the things he did and the sense of his presence continues to live on! Phil ..we miss you but you are still with us!!'
- Art Witebsky, a dear friend
'The person you called for help'
'Phil seemed to know how to fix anything. He was the person you called for help when you had a hole in your screen that you didn’t know how to begin fixing, or when your rear view mirror fell off you your car’s front window. (Both real times I called Phil) Now there was a price for Phil’s help, he never just fixed something, he made sure you learned how to fix it so you could do it yourself the next time. That and it usually involved lots of good conversation and a meal of some sort. My message to the families who purchase a Glebe View Townhome, learn everything about your house and roll up your sleeves and paint, renovate and repair, it will give you immense satisfaction to know you fixed it your self. And play some John Denver, always makes a house feel like a home.'
- Margaret Carter, longtime friend