Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity joins Thrivent Builds alliance for year two PDF Print E-mail

Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity again joins national home-building alliance that will partner with 355 American families in 2007

Seven homes built in St. Paul, Minneapolis and Savage this year; $1,016,730 will help build eight more Twin Cities Metro homes in 2007

Contact: Sharon Rolenc
612-331-4090 ext. 626 
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(MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - Dec. 18, 2006)—A national home-building alliance between Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Habitat for Humanity International will again help Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity expand its home building capacity. During 2007, eight homes will be built in the seven-county metro area through the partnership.

The additional eight homes are part of the Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity alliance that brings together thousands of volunteers and financial support from Thrivent Financial. Today, Habitat and Thrivent Financial are announcing $24.5 million has been committed to build 355 additional homes in 43 states with families in need in 2007.

For homeowners Yee Yang and Xai Lee of St. Paul, the result is a dream come true.  “As a young mother, I thought I would never be able to afford a home, let alone live somewhere that is decent enough or large enough for my family,” said Yang.  “I am so thankful to Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity and Thrivent Builds for helping me build this beautiful home.”

Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity is looking forward to 2007.

“We’re pleased to be partnering with Thrivent Builds again this year,” said Susan Haigh, president of Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity. “The need for affordable housing in the Twin Cities is enormous.  For every family we serve, we must turn ten eligible families away. This partnership brings substantial funding that enables us to address this need in a meaningful and tangible way."

Thrivent Financial became Habitat for Humanity International’s largest ally as a result of a four-year $105 million commitment to help increase the non-profit housing ministry’s home building production. In addition, Thrivent Financial rallied its national network of nearly 3 million members to volunteer. The alliance gives local Habitat affiliates the opportunity to work with more low-income families toward achieving Habitat’s mission of eliminating substandard housing. In 2006, the first year of the alliance, 313 families in 43 states achieved the dream of home ownership—a projected six percent increase in Habitat’s U.S. home production. In its second year, the alliance is again increasing Habitat’s home construction by working with 256 Habitat affiliates to build 355 homes.

“We're delighted to team up in 2007 with eight partner families in the Twin Cities metro region.  Nineteen Thrivent chapters and dozens of Lutheran congregations are already making plans to break ground in February,"  said Joy Peterson, Manager of Lutheran Community Services, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.  Peterson's Twin Cities Region is working with two additional Habitat affiliates in the area, Crow River Habitat for Humanity and East Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity, and a total of ten homes between the three Habitat affiliates will be completed in 2007.

Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity brings together two national nonprofit networks of 1,699 Habitat affiliates and 1,364 Thrivent volunteer chapters. Locally, Thrivent volunteer chapters will be helping with the homes. The need for an effort of this magnitude is great:

  • More than 13 million U.S. households use at least half of their income to pay for housing.
  • Millions more live in overcrowded conditions or housing with severe physical deficiencies, such as having no hot water, electricity or toilet.

To learn more, visit www.thriventbuilds.com. 

About Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity:
The mission of Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity is to eliminate poverty housing from the Twin Cities and to make decent, affordable shelter for all people a matter of conscience. Volunteer labor, donated materials and contributed funds are used to build and renovate homes in the Twin Cities area. Working under the faith-based principle that no profit should be gained from assisting those in need, Habitat for Humanity charges no interest on the mortgages that it issues to homebuyers. Families who purchase Habitat homes are selected based on need, ability to repay the zero percent mortgage, and willingness to partner.  Families put in 300-500 hours of "sweat equity" helping to build Habitat homes.  Since 1985, TCHFH has built over 640 homes in the seven-county metro area and engages more than 20,000 volunteers a year. 

About Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity:

Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity is a four-year, $105 million alliance between Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Habitat for Humanity International. The alliance makes Thrivent Financial Habitat’s largest single ally and aims to increase Habitat’s annual house production by up to 500 U.S. homes per year and more around the world. In 2006, 313 homes are being built in 43 states and up to 50 trips are planned for worldwide projects. For more information, visit www.thriventbuilds.com.

 

About Thrivent Financial for Lutherans:
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a not-for-profit membership organization helping 2.8 million members achieve their financial goals and give back to their communities. As a not-for-profit fraternal benefit society, Thrivent Financial sponsors national outreach programs and activities that support congregations, schools, charitable organizations and individuals in need. Thrivent Financial has main offices in Minneapolis, Minn., and Appleton, Wis. For more information, visit www.thrivent.com.

 

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