HabitatForHumanityOfGreenvilleCountry

Habitat Greenville Selected to Participate in Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative

This program encourages expansion of services to reach more families in need of decent, affordable housing

Habitat Greenville has been selected as one of 163 affiliates nationwide to participate in Habitat for Humanity International’s 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.

“We are thrilled to have been chosen by Habitat International to participate in this program,” said Greenville President Monroe Free.  “It will enhance our efforts to strengthen the lives of current and future generations by providing affordable and sustainable homeownership opportunities by partnering with the community to serve families with low-income.”

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

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

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.”

Through the initiative, Greenville, SC will work with other community organizations to 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.

“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 address individual neighborhood issues.”