Habitat for Humanity International announces affiliates selected to
participate in Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative

story link to habitat international here

Program encourages affiliates to expand services to reach more families in need of decent, affordable housing

ATLANTA (June 28, 2010) – Habitat for Humanity International announced this week that 163 U.S. affiliates will participate in the initial phase of its Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative. That effort will focus on improving housing conditions while partnering with other community organizations to provide services that enhance the overall quality of life across struggling neighborhoods.

“If we are going to help families thrive in healthy neighborhoods, we have to direct some significant efforts into healing America’s troubled communities,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. “These affiliates will work together to develop strategies and create strong networks that can be used to address individual neighborhood issues.”

As part of the first phase, affiliates will receive training and guidance on how to revitalize communities through a variety of housing solutions and community development efforts.

“The affiliates selected to take part in the first phase of the Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative are a diverse group so that we can learn how NRI will work in as many different affiliate situations as possible,” said Larry Gluth, senior vice president of Habitat’s U.S. and Canada area office. “We’ll take lessons learned from this first phase and incorporate them as the program expands over time. The Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative adds another dimension to our mission of providing families with decent, affordable places to live.”

In 2009, Habitat for Humanity International announced the formal launch of the Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative. Habitat affiliates were invited to apply to take part in the initiative, which encourages them to serve more families and to create more resilient and sustainable communities by offering a variety of services in addition to new house construction.

Through the initiative, Habitat affiliates, in collaboration with other community organizations, will collectively determine the projects that will be carried out locally. Habitat services may include new house construction, rehabilitation of vacant and foreclosed properties, house repairs for low-income homeowners, and weatherization to make houses more energy-efficient and affordable.

For a full list of Habitat affiliates that have been selected to participate in the Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative, visit the newsroom at www.habitat.org.

About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built, rehabilitated, repaired or improved more than 350,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1.75 million people. For more information, or to donate or volunteer, visitwww.habitat.org.