FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 30, 2019
Contacts:
Dr. Howard B. Slaughter, Jr., Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh, 412-527-3982, hslaughter@pittsburghhabitat.org
Allison Karakis, FHLBank Pittsburgh, 412-660-8176, Allison.Karakis@fhlb-pgh.com
U.S. Rep. Doyle Joins Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh to Raise the Walls on a New Home in McKeesport
PITTSBURGH, Sept. 30, 2019 – U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle (Pa.-18) was the special guest at a community celebration held today in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. The event highlighted the importance of affordable housing and homeownership in driving community revitalization. The celebration included the raising of the first wall of a family’s new home by Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh (Habitat Pittsburgh). Habitat Pittsburgh received a grant presentation totaling $225,000 from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh’s (FHLBank Pittsburgh) Affordable Housing Program (AHP) and FHLBank Pittsburgh’s member financial institution First Commonwealth Bank.
The funding was awarded to finance the building of three new homes on vacant, blighted lots in McKeesport and Penn Hills. Today’s wall raising at 401 Lemon St., McKeesport, PA, was led by Habitat Pittsburgh, Team Rubicon USA, Thrivent Financial and Impact Christian Church.
“Today is a celebration of partnership,” said Rep. Doyle. “The many people and organizations that have come together to help ensure our neighbors have a safe, affordable place to live are contributing to the well-being of our community. I’d like to thank Habitat Pittsburgh, FHLBank Pittsburgh and all of the housing partners involved for their tireless efforts.”
“Homeownership equity, above any other economic indicator, is the single largest contributor for increased net worth,” said Dr. Howard B. Slaughter, Jr., President and CEO, Habitat Pittsburgh. “Net worth is a key determinant for long-term sustainability that will benefit this McKeesport family as first-time homeowners.”
“The efforts we are celebrating here today demonstrate the importance of affordable housing and the impact it has on the lives of families within our community,” said Mike Rizzo, Chief Risk Officer, FHLBank Pittsburgh. “We are privileged to join our member First Commonwealth Bank in making grant funding available to organizations, like Habitat Pittsburgh, which continue to serve our region’s neighbors.”
The AHP funds presented at today’s event will support the vital housing needs of three families that are currently living in substandard conditions on incomes of 50 percent or less of the area median income. The families will purchase the homes after completing Habitat Pittsburgh’s homeownership educational program and volunteering 350 hours to assist in the construction of their homes. Two of the three homes will accommodate individuals with special needs.
Other political dignitaries also shared their thoughts on the work being done to provide much- needed affordable housing throughout the Pittsburgh region.
“We are extremely grateful to the many partners in this community who come together to help those in need,” said County Executive Richard Fitzgerald. “Thank you to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh, Team Rubicon USA, Thrivent Financial and Impact Christian Church for their work on this home and for being active partners in our community. We’re excited by this milestone and look forward to that moment when the family will receive the keys to their new home.”
“It’s developments like this that shine a light on all the good some individuals and organizations do for their neighbors and those in need,” said Austin Davis, State Representative of PA’s 35th District. “Habitat Pittsburgh is going to give a McKeesport family new life, providing them with a newly constructed home and a brighter future. I’m honored to be a part of this special day in McKeesport, and I’m even happier for the family receiving their forever home.”
About Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh partners with people throughout the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County to help them build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage with a zero percent interest rate. With your support, Habitat homeowners achieve the strength, stability and independence they need to build a better life for themselves and for their families.
About FHLBank Pittsburgh
As an intermediary between global capital markets and local lenders, FHLBank Pittsburgh provides readily available liquidity, as well as affordable housing and community development opportunities, to member financial institutions of all sizes in Delaware, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Annually, FHLBank Pittsburgh sets aside approximately 10 percent of its net income to fund the Affordable Housing Program, which supports projects that provide affordable housing to low- and very low-income households. The Bank is part of the Federal Home Loan Bank System, which was established by Congress in 1932 and serves as a reliable source of funds for housing, jobs and growth in all economic cycles.
About First Commonwealth Bank
First Commonwealth Financial Corporation (NYSE:FCF), headquartered in Indiana, Pennsylvania, is a financial services company with 133 community banking offices in 22 counties throughout western and central Pennsylvania and throughout Ohio, as well as corporate banking centers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. The company also operates mortgage offices in Wexford, Pennsylvania, as well as Hudson and Dublin, Ohio. First Commonwealth provides a full range of commercial banking, consumer banking, mortgage, wealth management and insurance products and services through its subsidiaries First Commonwealth Bank and First Commonwealth Insurance Agency.
About Team Rubicon USA
Team Rubicon USA’s mission is to provide disaster relief to those affected by natural disasters, be they domestic or international, by pairing the skills and experiences of Military Veterans with first responders, medical professionals and technology solutions. Through continued services, Team Rubicon USA seeks to provide Veterans with three things they lose after leaving the military: a purpose gained through disaster relief; community built by serving with others; and identity from recognizing the impact one individual can make.
About Thrivent Financial
Thrivent Financial is a Fortune 500 not-for-profit financial services organization headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Appleton, Wisconsin and founded by Lutherans. Thrivent is a unique kind of membership organization called a fraternal benefit society. By definition, a fraternal benefit society is a not-for-profit organization that provides insurance to its members and has to carry out social, intellectual, educational, charitable, benevolent, moral, fraternal, patriotic or religious purposes for the benefit of its members and the public. As a membership organization of Christians, Thrivent Financial has been helping members blend faith, finances and generosity for more than 100 years. Today Thrivent offers more than 2.3 million members a broad range of products, services and guidance from financial professionals nationwide.
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