SHSU Alumnus Dan Phillips is building 1,000 to1,200 square feet homes completely out of recycled and unwanted materials in an effort to assist low-income families and alleviate the growing burden on area landfills.Phillips received his master’s degree from SHSU in 1969 and was a member of the dance department faculty from 1974 to 1983.The materials used to build the homes vary from building materials leftover after the construction of a house to paper sacks, glass, cans, plastic and packaging material. “Imagination is the only limitation,” Phillips said on his Web site. “The finished design can be clean, tidy and well-designed.”From the normal construction of an 1800 square foot house, there is literally tons of waste that can be used in the construction of other houses,” Phillips said. “It’s arrogant of us not to use these materials to build a house when we have so many people needing affordable housing.”Phillips said many local officials and businesses have helped him to build homes for those in need.”The city is behind us 100 percent. The inspectors are like cheerleaders, though, they’ll tell me if something’s wrong,” he said. “Corporations, like McCoy’s, really helped me a lot and individuals donate labor.”Phillips and his wife, Mary, began an organization called Phoenix Commotion, which builds homes and rents them to low-income families with an option to buy. The rent on the homes is usually less than what the family is currently paying. If the family chooses to buy the home after three years, the amount they have paid is deducted from the cost of the home.The Phillips’ took out a second mortgage on their home to finance the building of the first house. “Our mission has three parts,” Phillips said. “We want to get these materials out of the landfills, train unskilled workers and provide low-income housing.”All of the workers Phillips employs are unskilled and hired at minimum wage. Phillips said the object of their employment is to teach them a skill they can take with them to a better paying job in the future.”It’s easy to find workers,” he said. “I can’t take everyone that wants a job.”Phillips said his work allows him to make dreams come true for many families.”Everybody has the dream of owning their own home,” Phillips said. “It’s the legend of the Phoenix, the new from the old.”For more information or to donate materials or labor, go to www.phoenixcommotion.com or call 291-1333.