FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Kathy Lofft
Habitat for Humanity of Summit and Wasatch Counties
435.658.1400
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF SUMMIT AND WASATCH COUNTIES TO CELEBRATE WORLD HABITAT DAY 2009
Habitat also announces opening of new Park City office to help it better serve the community
PARK CITY – September 29, 2009. Habitat for Humanity of Summit and Wasatch Counties (Habitat) invites the local community to help it celebrate World Habitat Day on Monday, October 5, 2009. Among other things, Habitat is using the occasion to promote the recent opening of its new office, located at 1351 Kearns Boulevard in Park City. Habitat will host a public open house at its new office on World Habitat Day (October 5) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
In 1985, the United Nations declared the first Monday in October to be “World Habitat Day” in order to recognize the vast housing need in cities around the world. Habitat for Humanity of Summit and Wasatch Counties was organized in 1995 to help address the need for affordable housing in its service area. In this period, Habitat has built ten homes, benefiting 15 adults and 24 children who might not otherwise have had access to permanent, affordable housing.
Habitat has a great deal of work ahead of it, however. Estimates are that nearly 16% of all families in Summit County, and almost 22% of all families in Wasatch County, earn between 30% and 50% to 60% of area median income, which qualifies them for Habitat’s program. Habitat also aids in building projects outside the local area and around the world by tithing 10% of its unrestricted income to Habitat for Humanity International. These funds are used on construction projects in areas including Asia, Africa and South America.
Habitat’s tried and tested partnership approach makes families who are in need of shelter a key part of their own housing solution. Among other things, families are expected to contribute “sweat equity” by working on Habitat construction projects. Families are also required to attend homeowner classes and to agree to be positive, productive ambassadors for Habitat and its programs. Habitat actively seeks donors and volunteers who appreciate and support these partnerships.
“Habitat works hard with volunteers and donors who invest time and money into the partnership, so that families in need of housing can help build, and then buy, their own home on terms they can afford,” explained Kathy Lofft, Executive Director of Habitat. She continued, “Habitat uses World Habitat Day as a call to action for individuals and organizations to change the reality of poverty housing and to work together to find housing solutions for those in need. On this year’s World Habitat Day, we encourage members of our community to consider how they can further engage in the solution, particularly in terms of supporting Habitat’s mission.”
In celebration of World Habitat Day, Habitat for Humanity of Summit and Wasatch Counties announces the public opening of its new Park City office, located in the Emporium Building (Down Under), at 1351 Kearns Boulevard. Ms. Lofft, Habitat’s Executive Director, says, “We are extremely excited to be able to open an office to the public for the first time in over two years.” She continued, “We believe that creating a new workplace for our staff and volunteers will help us expand our capacity and enhance our ability to execute our mission – to build and sell decent, affordable homes for working members of our community.”
Habitat will conduct a public open house at its new office on Monday, October 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – refreshments will be provided. Help celebrate World Habitat Day by visiting Habitat’s new office, meeting its staff and volunteers and making a contribution to Habitat’s mission. If you cannot attend the open house, visit www.habitatutah.org to learn more, or make your tax-deductible contribution by mailing your check to: Habitat for Humanity of Summit and Wasatch Counties, P.O. Box 682704, Park City, UT 84068.
About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) is an ecumenical housing ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, HFHI has built more than 300,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1.5 million people. For more information, visit www.habitat.org.
About Habitat for Humanity of Summit and Wasatch Counties
Habitat for Humanity of Summit and Wasatch Counties (Habitat) is a non-profit organization that builds and sells decent, affordable homes to benefit working members of the community. Habitat’s principal mission is to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness in its service area and around the world. Since 1995, Habitat has completed ten homes, benefiting 15 adults and 24 children who might not otherwise have had access to permanent, affordable housing. For more information, call (435) 658-1400 or visit www.habitatutah.org.
