Habitat for Humanity receives $15.3 million HUD grant
ATLANTA (June 22, 2011) – Habitat for Humanity will receive a 15.3 million “sweat equity” grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Funded through HUD’s Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP), the grant will help Habitat build more than 800 homes in partnership with low-income families nationwide.
“These grants are about rolling up your sleeves and getting the job done,” said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. “With a little investment and a lot of elbow grease, these organizations, volunteers and the families work side-by-side to build their homes from the ground up.”
The SHOP program provides federal grants on a competitive basis to national and regional nonprofits. Guidelines require homeowners to participate in the construction of their homes, a core principle of Habitat for Humanity since its founding in 1976. Habitat affiliates can apply to receive up to 15,000 per home in SHOP funding to purchase land or to install or improve infrastructure.
“We are very pleased to be a recipient of HUD’s SHOP grant awards,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. “By leveraging this money and creating partnerships with the private sector and other nonprofits and community groups, we can bring people together to make a significant impact on communities all around the country. The SHOP grants are integral to Habitat’s ability to serve increasing numbers of families nationwide.”
Habitat has received SHOP grants each year since Congress first appropriated funding in 1996. Overall, Habitat’s total 159.9 million in SHOP funding has been used to help more than 14,000 families obtain safe, decent and affordable housing; another 1,000 homes are in progress. SHOP 2010 is the largest competitive award Habitat has received to date.
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 400,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than two million people. For more information, or to donate or volunteer, visit habitat.org.