Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh will hold a Press Conference and Groundbreaking at 6900 Bennett Street in Homewood on April 24th at 1:00 PM to announce the construction of new homes for first-timehomebuyers. Prospective homebuyers must successfully complete Habitat’s Homeownership program in additionto 350 hours of sweat equity to qualify for a 30-year 0% fixed rate mortgage.
Confirmed speakers include:
Dr. Howard B. Slaughter, Jr., President & CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh
Honorable William Peduto, Mayor, City of Pittsburgh
Maggy Hardy Magerko, Owner & President of 84 Lumber Company and Nemacolin Woodlands Resort
Tjada McKenna, Chief Operating Officer, Habitat for Humanity International (Atlanta)
Rocky Bleier, Vietnam Veteran and Former Pittsburgh Steeler
State Representative Ed Gainey
Pittsburgh City Councilman Rev. Ricky Burgess
Jerome Jackson, Executive Director, Operation Better Block
Mike Rizzo, Chief Risk Officer, Federal Home Loan Bank, Chair, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh
Groundbreaking officiant:
The Rev. Dr. Daniel B. Merry, Senior Pastor, Southminster Presbyterian Church
Dr. Howard B. Slaughter, Jr., President & CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh said, “This Faith andVeteran build focused housing development will benefit families in need of Homeownership, which is the foremost economic catalyst for sustained neighborhood revitalization. High transitory neighborhoods that focus on increasing homeownership often experience a more stabilizing effect that yield social benefits and financial gains; which is a strategic component of Homewood’s revivification. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh is pleased to offerits unique model of homeownership, which consists of sweat equity, financial education, low down payments and the lowest interest rate possible, a 0% 30-year fixed rate mortgage. We are ecstatic to have the opportunity to provide homeownership for more families; with the assistance of volunteers, donors, funders and the community.”
Mayor William Peduto remarked, “The City of Pittsburgh has long recognized the important work that Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh does, particularly their focus on helping Veterans become homeowners and assisting Veterans with Home Repairs. Providing opportunities for permanent housing for Veterans is a strategic component of the City’s efforts to ensure Veterans have quality homes they own, which affords them theopportunity to gain wealth through the equity in their home. The City is pleased to partner with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh and recognizes the need to support these men and women, who have eagerly andbravely served our Country; now it’s time for Pittsburgh to serve them by helping them to achieve their goal ofhomeownership in one of the most affordable housing markets in the Country.”
Maggie Hardy Magerko, Owner & President, 84 Lumber Company and Nemacolin Woodlands Resort said, “84Lumber looks forward to continuing our working relationship with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh. It is our products that help to build stable homes and we are again pleased to frame these homes including putting thebrick facades in place with quality standards that reflect 84 Lumber and Habitat’s commitment to qualityhomeownership. 84 Lumber believes in the Habitat mission and we support this important development throughour products and our funding to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh.”
Tjada Mckenna, “This groundbreaking ceremony with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh signifies the startof a new beginning for future homeowners in the Homewood neighborhood,” said Tjada McKenna, Chief Operating Officer, Habitat for Humanity International. “Each home built across the country is one step closer to Habitat for Humanity’s shared vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
Habitat Pittsburgh’s efforts to revitalize the community will transform the Homewood neighborhood to once again be a vibrant and safe place to live for current residents and future generations.”
Rocky Bleier, Vietnam Veteran and Former Pittsburgh Steeler commented, “Veterans who have served this Country,like me and Dr. Slaughter and countless others recognize the importance of helping veterans become homeowners.Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh’s program is unique in that it provides financial counseling, sweat equity and permanent, not provisional or transitional housing. Homeownership is a critical aspect of helping Veterans moreeffectively matriculate seamlessly back into society.”
Shalisa L. Wall, who served in the United States Army Reserves and the United States Navy Reserves is the firstVeteran to become a homeowner after successfully completing Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh’s Veteran’s Homeownership Initiative. Shalisa said, “My mom instilled in me the importance of being an educated, GOD fearing woman. It took me 50 years to get to this day and I’ve experienced perpetual homelessness and livedin poverty. The entire team of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh believed in me and blessed me and my family with a beautiful brand-new home; they saw my financial flaws and helped me remove them and saw fit to bless us with our forever home. My family and I no longer have to live in shelters or with family and friends. This home is more than brick and mortar; it represents breaking a generational curse of homelessness and it has allowedmy family to have a piece of the American dream and I'm so proud of this and consider it a great honor.”
Melissa Campbell, United States Air Force Veteran is presently in Habitat’s Veteran’s Homeownership Initiative program and working towards owning her own home in Homewood, where she currently lives. Melissa said, “The Veterans Homeownership Initiative program is important to Veterans because owning your own home is the start to putting down roots and having something that truly belongs to you. Renting is often an emotional burden, butpaying a mortgage is an investment, you’re not paying someone else until the end of the month or the end of thelease, you’re building equity in your own property. Homeownership means not being at the mercy of a landlord.”
About Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh’s mission is to eliminate substandard housing in Allegheny County bybringing people together to build, rehabilitate, and repair homes, communities, and hope. We are an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a global, nonprofit organization that is dedicated to eliminating substandardhousing.
About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International began in 1976 as a grassroots effort on a community farm in southern Georgia. The Christian housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in more than 1,300 communities throughout the U.S. and in more than 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home.
About 84 Lumber
84 Lumber is the nation’s leading privately held supplier of building materials, manufactured components andindustry-leading services for single- and multi-family residences and commercial buildings. Under the leadership of president and owner Maggie Hardy Magerko, 84 Lumber operates more than 250 stores, component manufacturing plants, custom door shops, custom millwork shops, and engineered wood product (EWP) centers in 30+ states.
Contact: Dr. Howard B. Slaughter, Jr., President & CEO
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh
412.527.3982
hslaughter@pittsburghhabitat.org
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