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From the desk of Executive Director, Algenita Davis
While 2010 has seen significant challenges, as the economy has struggled and the need for affordable housing has skyrocketed, Houston Habitat has continued to strive to do what we do best--build homes and change lives. We currently have 24 homes under construction in three neighborhoods. The City of Houston recently granted us more than $1.4 million to build 17 safe, affordable homes in Fifth Ward, the neighborhood where I actually grew up. And we have expanded our commitment to eco-friendly construction by building several homes with solar power electricity, solar hot water heater and environmentally friendly indoor materials.
We could not have achieved any of this without the support of you--our generous sponsors, donors, volunteers and advocates. But as we move towards 2011, Houston Habitat still needs your help to get hardworking families into homes in time for the holidays. Please take a moment of your valuable time to sign up for a build or make a donation--any amount helps. Thanks! |
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 NSP Build Kickoff: 17 Homes to be Built in Fifth Ward
 Left to Right: Houston City Council Member Wanda Adams; Sam Dikey of the Office of Council Member Stephen Costello; Reginald Williams of the Office of U.S. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee; Diedra Rasheed of the City of Houston & Community Development Department; Council Member Jolanda Jones; Eta Paransky of the City of Houston & Community Development Department; Alvin Byrd of the Office of Council Member Jarvis Johnson; Matt Jenkins of the City of Houston; and Algenita Scott Davis, Executive Director of Houston Habitat for Humanity
On Monday, October 11, Houston Habitat for Humanity kicked off a build that every taxpayer can support. Houston Habitat for Humanity received $1,445,000 from the City of Houston's allocation of federal stimulus dollars under the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP). The grant will allow Houston Habitat to build 17 homes in the Fifth Ward area to help prevent or stem decline caused by abandoned and foreclosed homes. On Oct. 11, construction of the first three houses kicked off with a press conference and remarks by City Council Member Jolanda Jones, City Council Member Wanda Adams, Alvin Byrd of the Office of City Council Member Jarvis Johnson, Eta Paransky and Diedre Rasheed of the City of Houston Housing and Community Development Department and Houston Habitat's Executive Director Algenita Davis. Throughout the four-day "NSP Build," more than 400 volunteers and partner family members joined forces to transform a neighborhood, as well as the lives of three local families. Houston Habitat thanks the city of Houston for their support of affordable housing and Chili's Grill & Bar Restaurant, HEB Grocery, Crowne Plaza West, Chatter's Cafe and Memorial Hermann Hospital: Imaging Center for providing lunch to our hardworking volunteers and staff. Houston Habitat builds homes for purchase for lower-income Houstonians who otherwise would not qualify for conventional or traditional groverment mortgages. Loans carry zero interest; down payments are deferred via "sweat equity" requirements and other assistance programs; and homeowners are offered classes in personal financial management and home maintenance. For information about how you can volunteer for Houston Habitat builds, visit our website.
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 Houston Habitat is honored to offer special recognition to Calpine Corporation for their sponsorship and involvement with Houston Habitat. More than 150 of Calpine's employees brought out their hammers and enthusiasm to build a house for one Houston family to call home.
Thanks to Calpine's generosity, the Mayo family will become the proud homeowners of one of Houston Habitat's first green homes, which is complete with solar-powered electricity and hot water. This "green package" upgrade is expected to save the homeowners more than $750 a year in utility costs. As a leader in renewable and cleaner-burning natural gas power generation for the past 25 years, Calpine is a leading example of what it means to engage with the local community to create sustainable homes.
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Connect with Houston Habitat |
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The House that Ching Built
A year after Brian Ching set a goal of raising $75,000 to build a Houston Habitat house, six sponsors and more than 150 volunteers joined forces to build a new home for the Urbano family. The home, located in the Milby Park subdivision, is Houston Habitat's third Green Upgraded house. We are grateful to the Houston Dynamo, MLS W.O.R.K.S., KHOU, Turner Construction, BMC Software, Home Depot, HP/Computex, and Rice Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter for making The House that Ching Built possible.
Because of his generous work in the community, including The House that Ching Built, Brian was named the Houston Dynamo's 2010 Humanitarian of the Year!
Thanks and congrats, Brian Ching!
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Women's Wall Build
On October 23, 25 women (and a few guys!) came out for the first-ever Women's Wall Build at our warehouse. The group, comprised partly of the University of Houston Society of Women Engineers, spent the morning building walls to go into a Houston Habitat home. The volunteer event was both a fundraising and social opportunity. We look forward to creating more fundraising and volunteer opportunities like this one. Contact Holly Myers if you're interested in organizing an event at hmyers@houstonhabitat.org.
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Run for a Reason
You can "Run for a Reason," and help us change more lives and continue building a safe, healthy and sustainable community
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Call for Volunteers
There are many opportunities to get involved with Houston Habitat, whether on a build site or in our office. Grab a group of your friends, and stay tuned to our Volunteer web page for information on how you can help.
Now Changing Lives at Milby Park:
Sign Up Now!
"Be the change you wish to see in the world" -- Mahatma Gandhi
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ReStore
The Houston Habitat ReStore is undergoing a major remodel! Come out now to see new options in cabinets, tile, laminate flooring and more. By the end of November, expect to see a full Porter Paints paint desk, complete with color-matching.
As always, ReStore inventory changes frequently, so call ahead if you want a specific item:
(713) 643-1100. |
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