Hawkins Habitat for Humanity today announced last week will receive $23,250 in grant funding by Habitat for Humanity of Tennessee to build one new home in Hawkins County.
Bruce Meyer, Executive Director of Hawkins Habitat for Humanity, told the Review that a family has been selected for this new home which will be constructed in the Persia community.
“The homeowner is disabled, a first-time homebuyer, low-income, long-term resident of Hawkins County with partial custody of a minor child,” Meyer said.
The recipient currently resides in a rental mobile home. The new home is being constructed handicap-accessible.
The overall cost of this project is approximately $130,000. Additional funding is provided by Hawkins Habitat and hopefully a grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank
Meyer added, “I want to express my appreciation to Habitat for Humanity of Tennessee and the Tennessee Housing Development Agency for their support in helping us fulfill our mission to build decent and affordable housing for low income families in Hawkins and Hancock counties.”
The grant comes as part of a $500,000 grant from the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA). Hawkins Habitat for Humanity and its sister organizations throughout the state will apply the grant toward the construction of 20 new homes for qualified first-time homebuyers.
THDA allocates the funds to Habitat for Humanity of Tennessee, and local Habitat affiliates could apply for $23,250 per home build. When construction is complete in June 2024, more than 70 children and adults will be living in affordable, energy-efficient homes built in part from this funding.
“THDA is a strong statewide partner helping us make homeownership a reality for more Tennesseans,” said Colleen Dudley, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Tennessee. “This grant provides us with a solid foundation to spur our larger fundraising efforts, which will reach over $4 million from individuals, churches, foundations and businesses to complete these builds.”
Funding for the grant came from the Tennessee Housing Trust Fund (THTF) which receives no state tax dollars but is instead funded by revenue from THDA’s mortgage loan program. Since 2006, THDA has provided more than $117.3 million in THTF grants.
“Habitat for Humanity continues to make a positive impact in communities across Tennessee by providing affordable housing opportunities to hard-working families and helping them realize the dream of homeownership,” said THDA Executive Director Ralph M. Perrey. “We at THDA share that goal and are pleased to continue providing grant funds that will assist Habitat affiliates across the state.”
In addition to supporting Habitat for Humanity with grant funding, THDA also provides zero-interest home loans to qualified Habitat homeowners. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage that, in turn, helps fund future Habitat builds. Habitat for Humanity is propelled by a vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
Habitat for Humanity began in Tennessee in 1978 when Appalachia Habitat was created serving Scott and Morgan counties. The Christian housing organization has grown over the past 45 years to include 37 affiliates that serve over 60 counties. Tennessee is ranked the 4th largest builder of Habitat for Humanity homes in the country. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit HabitatTN.org.
The Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) is Tennessee’s housing finance agency, created by the General Assembly in 1973. THDA was created to promote the production of more affordable new housing units for very low-, low- and moderate-income individuals and families in the state, to promote the preservation and rehabilitation of existing housing units for such persons, and to bring greater stability to the residential construction industry and related industries so as to assure a steady flow of production of new housing units. For more information, visit THDA.org.
Most Popular
Comments / 0