2009 Legal Build Launches
Austin Habitat and legal community work together to build fourth home
AUSTIN, Texas (March 12, 2009) -
Today the Austin Bar Association and Austin
Habitat for Humanity celebrate its partnership by kicking off its fourth Legal
Build.
This year, the partnership will provide an opportunity for the Nobles family to
own a home. This family has completed
nearly 400 hours of "sweat equity" building homes with Austin
Habitat, and has taken 24 hours of housing counseling. The family will purchase
their home with the help of a zero-interest mortgage, which they will repay.
Although every house built is special, this event signifies the continued
collaboration between the Austin
Bar and Austin
Habitat. Every two years, Austin's legal community comes together to provide a
tangible benefit to an Austin
family. This exciting partnership is
just one of the ways that the Austin legal
community gives back to the vibrant city its members call home and - like all
other Habitat initiatives - plays a key role in Austin Habitat's efforts to end
the cycle of poverty in Austin
through the power of home ownership.
Luke Ellis, an attorney at
Jackson Walker, LLP, and current president of Austin Habitat's Board of
Directors, says the Austin Bar's relationship with Austin Habitat is an
important part of demonstrating the Bar's commitment to the city and its
residents.
"The Austin Bar's
partnership with Austin Habitat for Humanity is so important because the innovative
efforts of the legal community are a key part of the solution to
affordable home ownership opportunities for working families in Austin. The Austin Bar's
commitment to supporting affordable housing changes lives," Ellis says.
Mishell Kneeland, an assistant attorney general with the state of Texas and the chair of
the Bar's current biennial effort agrees.
"The benefits that a family obtains from home ownership extend beyond a
simple roof over their heads. A home changes everything. This is one way for
the legal community's actions to speak in ways that words cannot," Kneeland
says.
Kneeland says that this third opportunity
for the Austin Bar to work with Austin Habitat is a
win-win situation for all involved. "You
just feel good seeing the results of your hard work and knowing the impact it
will have on the family that moves in and buys the home."
Fundraising efforts to
start the home for the Nobles family begin now, with the build starting in May
and lasting through the summer. The Austin Bar
is committed to raising the funds and providing labor to build the Nobles' new
home. Together, the Austin Bar
and Austin Habitat will change lives, as they have for three other families in
prior legal builds.
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At a Glance
Who: The Austin Bar Association and Austin Habitat
What: Legal Build 2009 Kick Off
When: March 12, 2009
Where: Mishell Kneeland,
965.5463 or
Michael Kellerman, 472.8788, ext. 408
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About Austin Habitat for Humanity
At Austin Habitat, we believe in creating opportunity, inspiring hope and empowering dreams through the power of home ownership. We know that together we can end the cycle of poverty. Together we can change lives.
We have served the Austin
community since 1985, building more than 235 new affordable homes with hardworking low-income
families. Homes are built with
volunteer labor and community funding, and sold to our home buyers with
zero-interest mortgage loans. Each home buyer
participates in housing counseling programs and contributes approximately 400 hours of
"sweat-equity."
You can change lives by giving at AustinHabitat.org.
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About the Austin Bar Association
The Austin Bar Association, a nonprofit, voluntary association operated
for charitable and educational purposes, represents approximately 4,200
attorneys in the Austin
area. |
-- Austin Habitat for Humanity --
CHANGE LIVES
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Contact
Mishell Kneeland
Chair
2009 Legal Build
mishell.kneeland@gmail.com
512.965.5463
Michael Kellerman
Dir External Relations
and Development
mkellerman@ahfh.org
512.472.8788 | ext 408
512.799.0929 cell
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