Tag Archives: south gate

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles Transforms Seven Blighted Homes in South Gate and Celebrates with New Homeowners in Dedication Ceremony

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South Gate Mayor, HUD representative, City Officials, Volunteers& New Partner Homeowners Join in Ribbon Cutting Event

Los Angeles, CA – November 21, 2012: The Neighborhood Stabilization Program2 (NSP2) was established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to stabilize neighborhoods whose viability has been and continues to be damaged by foreclosed and abandoned properties. Through the NSP2 program, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (HFH GLA)has partnered with the City of South Gate to purchase 32 foreclosed homes; rehabilitate them with volunteer support and sell them to qualified low-income homebuyers.NSP2 has allowed HFH GLA to serve more families and individuals in greater Los Angeles through the rehabilitation of more than 100 homes and contribute to the area economy by utilizing the services of local companies.

“We are so thrilled for our new partner homeowners and we feel blessed to share in this wonderful new chapter in these family’s lives,” said Erin Rank, President & CEO, HFH GLA. “It’s been rewarding to partner with these hardworking families and the City of South Gate.”

South Gate’s new homeowners are:

Wilfredo Ceballos

The De La Garza Family

The Hernandez Family

The Hicks Family

The Krich Family

The Mendoza Family

The Rivas Family

To qualify for homeownership, these new homeowners donated at least 200 hours of sweat equity building their homes, or other Habitat homes; they attended home buyer education classes and have agreed to pay back a zero-interest loan.

South Gate Mayor Bill De Witt and Ray Brewer, HUD LA Field Office Director spoke at the event held at the South Gate Park Girls Club House.  Other special guests in attendance included Steven Lefever, Director of Community Development from the City of South Gate;Abel Torres, Housing and Grants Analyst, City of South Gate; HFH GLA board member Gerry Bross, and Larry Schroeder from Malarkey Roofing.

L.A. County remains one of the least affordable places to live and more than half of its residents live below the poverty level. Since 1990, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles has built or renovated nearly 800 homes locally and internationally. Partnerships with South Gate and programs such as NSP2, along with volunteer builders, make it possible for HFH GLA to build hope, lives and communities.

Habitat for Humanity would like to thank all of its partners for making this dedication possible including HUD,the NSP2 program and the City of South Gate.  Additional in-kind partners Malarkey Roofing, Whirlpool, Valspar, Kohler, Dow, Simpson Strong Tie, US Air Conditioning and Square D also provided valuable services and materials.

Rank added: “We wish these families many happy years in their new Habitat for Humanity homes.”

About Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (HFH GLA) strives to eliminate substandard housing through advocacy, education and partnership with families and individuals in need to build decent, sustainable and affordable housing. Since 1990, HFH GLA has built and renovated nearly 800 homes locally and worldwide, transforming the lives of hundreds of individuals. HFH GLA is a GuideStar® Valued Partner and has achieved the coveted Charity Navigator 4-Star rating awarded to non-profits for sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency. For more information, please visit http://www.habitatla.org or call 310-323-4663. Visit our blog at http://buildingagreaterla.blogspot.com.

# # #

Angela Moore

Starfish PR

C: 310-429-8868

angela@starfish-pr.com

 

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles hosts AmeriCorps members for weeklong blitz build

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 Los Angeles, CA – May 16, 2012– Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (HFH GLA) will host more than 75 AmeriCorps members the week of May 20-25 for Habitat for Humanity International’s annual AmeriCorps Build-a-Thon.

In addition to Los Angeles, the annual Build-a-Thon will be hosted by Habitat affiliates in Dallas, Milwaukee, and Pensacola, Fl. May 14-25. The builds will engage over 400 AmeriCorps members and alumni from 36 states, and helps to highlight local community needs for affordable housing and the members’ service with Habitat.

This year’s Build-a-Thon is also helping HFH GLA to meet its goals with regards to the second phase of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP2). The federally funded program partners with state and local governments and nonprofits to help reverse the decline in neighborhoods severely affected by foreclosures and abandonment. Habitat for Humanity International was awarded NSP2 funds by HUD for seven Habitat affiliates in five states — California, Florida, New York, Texas and Wisconsin — to provide housing solutions for more than 1,000 families. HFH GLA is one of seven Habitat affiliates partnering with Habitat for Humanity International on the NSP2 program.

“Our AmeriCorps members continually impress us with their dedication to our mission and several AmeriCorps alumni are now members of our permanent staff,” says Erin Rank, President & CEO of HFH GLA. “Those who will be joining us in Los Angeles for this year’s Build-a-Thon have their work cut out for them as we will be working on NSP2 homes in Lynwood and South Gate, but I know they are up for the challenge!”

Work at the Build-a-Thon in greater Los Angeles will include existing home rehabilitation, from drywall to plumbing, these AmeriCorps volunteers will be working towards completing homes for future homeowners. It will also highlight “green building” practices that help make houses more energy-efficient and affordable for partner homeowners.

“We are incredibly grateful for the service of these dedicated AmeriCorps members and their commitment to helping low-income families in need of affordable housing,” said Patrick Corvington, Habitat for Humanity International’s senior vice president of Volunteer and Institutional engagement. “Habitat’s Build-a-Thon allows us to showcase the pivotal role AmeriCorps members play in our ability to serve communities across the U.S.”

Habitat has partnered with the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency that funds and oversees AmeriCorps programs since 1994. Currently, Habitat for Humanity has a network of more than 550 Habitat AmeriCorps members serving nationwide. In 2011, 700 Habitat AmeriCorps members helped serve 3,000 families in more than 200 communities across 39 states. They contributed more than 1.2 million hours of service, mobilized more than 250,000 volunteers and raised nearly $5 million for local house building and community development efforts.

Build-a-Thon Locations:

12628 Santa Fe Ave., Lynwood CA. 90262

3344 Tecumseh Ave., Lynwood CA. 90262

11937 Peach Ave., Lynwood CA. 90262

9230 San Vincente Ave., South Gate CA. 90280

9400 San Luis Ave., South Gate CA. 90280

Contacts:

Jo-An Turman

HFH GLA
424-246-3175

jturman@habitatla.org

Angela Moore

Starfish PR

310.429.8868

angela@starfish-pr.com

 About Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (HFH GLA) strives to eliminate substandard housing through advocacy, education and partnership with families and individuals in need to build decent, sustainable and affordable housing. Since 1990, HFH GLA has built and renovated more than 700 homes locally and worldwide, transforming the lives of hundreds of individuals. HFH GLA is a GuideStar® Valued Partner and has achieved the coveted Charity Navigator 4-Star rating awarded to non-profits for sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency. For more information, please visit http://www.habitatla.org or call 310-323-4663. Visit our blog at http://buildingagreaterla.blogspot.com.

About Habitat for Humanity International

Habitat for Humanity International is a global nonprofit Christian housing organization that seeks to put God’s love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope. Since 1976, Habitat has served more than 500,000 families by welcoming people of all races, religions and nationalities to construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. For more information, to donate or to volunteer, please visit www.habitat.org, or follow us at www.facebook.com/habitat or at www.twitter.com/habitat_org or join Habitat’s blog community at www.habitat.org/blog .

About Habitat for Humanity AmeriCorps Programs
Habitat for Humanity AmeriCorps members have performed more than 10 million hours of service, engaged nearly 2 million volunteers and helped serve more than 12,500 families throughout the United States. For information about AmeriCorps programs, visit www.habitat.org/americorps or www.americorps.gov.

About the Corporation for National and Community Service
The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service through Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, Learn and Serve America and the Social Innovation Fund, and leads President Obama’s national call to service initiative, United We Serve. For more information, visit NationalService.gov.