Habitat for Humanity Launches Effort to Renovate 24 Homes in South Hampton Roads

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Taking a rehab approach to our construction projects enables us to streamline costs, serve more families, and restore blighted areas in the community.

Norfolk, Va. (PRWEB) March 28, 2014

In celebration of 25 years of service, Habitat for Humanity of South Hampton Roads (Habitat SHR) will today launch Rebuilding the American Dream (RAD) – an initiative to renovate 24 vacant properties. Bank of America is helping jumpstart the initiative with a $50,000 grant in addition to a donation of nine properties. Habitat SHR and Bank of America will kick-off the campaign with a home dedication ceremony for the first Habitat homeowners to benefit from the RAD initiative. Volunteers and community partners will gather this morning at 10:00 a.m. at the family’s new home on Cedar Road in Chesapeake, Va.

During the celebratory event, Rev. Wayne Lavender, Ph.D., Executive Director of Habitat SHR, will showcase the organization’s progress on the RAD initiative and facilitate the home dedication ceremony for new homeowners – Michael Day, an Army reservist and Navy veteran, and his wife Danielle along with their four children.

“Home dedications provide us with an opportunity to see our mission fulfilled and share in the family’s excitement as they embark on a new journey,” said Lavender. “Through our Rebuilding the American Dream initiative, we are committed to ensuring that other families, just like the Days, experience the feelings of pride and self-esteem associated with homeownership.”

Over the next several months, Habitat SHR expects to raise $1.5 million to cover the costs to purchase and renovate homes for 24 families – at least six of which are committed to veteran or active-duty military families. The property donations by Bank of America are part of a national partnership with Habitat for Humanity International through which the bank will donate up to 2,000 vacant properties for renovation or reconstruction over a three year period.

A portion of the properties donated by Bank of America will be included in the bank’s ongoing commitment to make up to 1,000 properties available to nonprofit organizations providing housing opportunities for military veterans. Bank of America employees also helped with renovations to the Day family home last October.

“We are proud to partner with Habitat to make homeownership a reality for hardworking Hampton Roads families,” said Charlie Henderson, Hampton Roads market president, Bank of America, and chair of the RAD initiative. “Supporting the military is a priority for Bank of America and we thank Michael Day and his family for their service and greatly appreciate the sacrifices they have made.”

Rebuilding the American Dream positions Habitat SHR to provide homes for more families and streamline costs, which would increase to $5 million to build 24 new construction homes. This initiative demonstrates the organization’s ability to continue its service to the community despite economic uncertainties.

“Taking a rehab approach to our construction projects enables us serve more families, become more environmentally friendly, and restore blighted areas in the community, said Lavender. “We are so fortunate to have the support of partners like Bank of America, and appreciate their contributions and commitment to helping us reach our goal and end poverty housing in South Hampton Roads.”

For more information on how you can donate to Habitat SHR’s Rebuilding the American Dream campaign, please contact Meghan Manning Massie at 757.640.0590 ext. 219 or at meghan.massie@shrhabitat.org.

About Habitat for Humanity of South Hampton Roads:
Habitat for Humanity of South Hampton Roads engages the community in building opportunities for qualified families to achieve independence and stability through purchasing an affordable home. We serve all seven geographical entities that comprise South Hampton Roads: Chesapeake, Isle of Wight, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Smithfield, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach.

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