Habitat for Humanity volunteers Kenny Ellis, Ann Knotts, Gary Deavours and Lisa Lanier spent their Saturday helping a deserving family attain affordable homeownership.
Manassas, Va. (March 27, 2013) – Habitat for Humanity Affiliates of the National Capital Area recently partnered with Bank of America to support Neighborhood Revitalization projects across the DC metro region. Bank of America awarded a $50,000 grant to benefit area projects including new construction, rehabilitation of vacant or distressed properties, weatherization and critical repair projects.
Habitat for Humanity of Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park was one of five DC area affiliates to receive $10,000 from the $50,000 grant. This generous contribution is helping us rehab a home on Copeland Drive in Manassas for a deserving, hard-working family. The donation also included two volunteer worksite days which were held on March 16 and 23.
Bank of America volunteers brought great spirit and energy to the worksite and worked with crew leader, John Blake, and family partner, Larry Young, to paint every room in the soon-to-be Young-Tejada home and sand the entire deck.
Bank of America Hastings Branch banking center manager, Gloria Eleonu, talked about why she volunteered at the worksite: “I think homeownership is so important. I was able to fulfill my dream of homeownership so I really wanted to help someone else achieve their dream as well.”
And she’s doing just that. Larry Young and his wife Eva Tejada will be moving into the three bedroom home with their 6-year-old daughter, Ashly, when the rehab work is completed. The Young-Tejadas applied for Habitat’s Homeownership Program and are in the process of buying the Copeland Drive home from Habitat for Humanity.
“We’re committed to supporting our local community and focusing our philanthropic support to respond to the greatest needs of the people that live here,” said Jeff Wood, Greater Washington Market President, Bank of America. “Bank of America is pleased to support Habitat’s mission of providing families in need of affordable housing with the opportunity to experience the benefits of homeownership.”
Habitat’s Homeowner Program helps local families whose annual total income is between 30-50% of the median income for the Washington, D.C. area. Houses are sold to families at no profit and are financed through low-interest mortgages that the family can afford. The homeowner’s monthly mortgage payments support the construction or rehabilitation of more houses. Family partners also work side-by-side with the volunteers to fulfill their sweat equity requirement.
“We purchase foreclosed homes and then sell them at cost to residents in our community who are in need of affordable, decent housing,” says Traci DeGroat, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park. “After we purchase the home, we use volunteer labor and donations from businesses and individuals to buy materials and complete any repairs that need to be made to the home.”
If your business is interested in sponsoring a Volunteer Work Day or any of Habitat’s programs including Critical Repairs for Veterans, please contact Traci DeGroat at 703-369-6708 or tdegroat@habitatpwc.org. For information on becoming a Habitat homeowner or to apply for home repairs, please contact Tiffanie Lampasona at 703-369-6708 or tlampasona@habitatpwc.org.
For more information about Habitat for Humanity of Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park, visit our website at habitatpwc.org or facebook.com/habitatpwc.
