International CEO Jonathan Reckford in town for Chaska groundbreaking PDF Print E-mail

Twin Cities Habitat gears up suburban home production

Contact: Sharon Rolenc
612-331-4090 ext. 626
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(MINNEAPOLIS – April 24, 2007) – Poverty has moved to the suburbs.  A recent Brookings Institute report illustrates that “by 2005, the suburban poor outnumbered their city counterparts by at least 1 million.”  Consequently, the nation’s suburbs are facing a critical need for affordable workforce housing.

Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity (TCHFH) is poised to provide affordable housing solutions for suburban communities in the Twin Cities region.  “While we are committed to preserving homeownership opportunities in the core cities, we recognize the growing affordable housing need in the suburbs.  Twin Cities Habitat recently rolled out a new strategic plan that will focus much of our new house production in fast-growing suburbs,” said Susan Haigh, president of Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity.  “All families need access to jobs, safe neighborhoods and good schools.  By increasing our production in the suburbs, we are expanding opportunities for families to achieve these goals.”

TCHFH is partnering with Thrivent Builds for Habitat for Humanity to build eight suburban homes this year – four in Chaska and four in the City of Ramsey.  Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International will be in the Twin Cities this weekend to celebrate the work of Habitat for Humanity, and will speak at a ground breaking on the 2800 block of Faulkner Drive in Chaska, Saturday, April 28 at 1:30 p.m.

The Thrivent Builds partnership is part of a four-year alliance between Habitat for Humanity International and Thrivent Financial. "Habitat for Humanity is grateful and fortunate to have such a committed friend in Thrivent and its many members. The need for safe, decent and affordable housing is not limited to third world countries, rural communities or core inner cities.  The reality is that poverty exists in all corners of the world, and if we are going to respond appropriately to it, we have to do so in a serious fashion. Our relationship with Thrivent is a perfect example of doing just that,” said Reckford.

Event speakers include: Susan Haigh, president of TCHFH; Gary F. Van Eyll, Mayor of Chaska; Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International;  Jeff Hahn, Thrivent Builds senior director; and Endale Berhanu and Zahabiya Kalil, future homeowners of the Chaska Habitat for Humanity houses.   The event is free and open to the public.

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 650 homes in the seven-county metro area and engages more than 20,000 volunteers a year.  For more information, visit www.tchabitat.org.

 
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