Pittsburgh Habitat for Humanity chose Martin Luther King Jr. Day to dedicate the first three homes built in the City of Pittsburgh’s Westwood neighborhood. When completed, a woodsy slope between Chessland Street and the Noblestown Road Rite Aid will host houses owned by low-income families paying the no-interest mortgages. The local chapter of Habitat For Humanity holds the mortgage and, as the money is paid back by the homeowners, the funds are used by Habitat to fund additional homes. Each homeowner has the family's own "sweat equity" of 350 hours invested in their residence.
These homes are the start the largest project in the chapter's 22-year history. In the Pittsburgh area, the group has built or renovated 60 homes in Allegheny County in the past 22 years.
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is the prime sponsor of one home, which is being occupied by the Jason Stewart family (who are in the center of the picture on the front porch of their new home). Our Chapter is continuing to raise our share of the funds to pay for the materials used to build this home. The chapter is responsible for raising 10% of the funds, while the national Thrivent Financial For Lutherans organization provides 65% of the funding and the local Habitat Chapter funds the balance.
When our chapter has successful in raising the balance of the funds for this home, it is likely Thrivent Financial For Lutherans will sponsor additional “Thrivent Builds” homes in the area. The Allegheny Chapter has raised funds for the home through 2008 JOIN HANDS DAY participation in the Highmark Walk and Chapter social events. Pittsburgh Habitat for Humanity receives no direct funding from Habitat for Humanity International, and all of our chapter’s funds for house construction must be raised through local donations.
Rev. Donald Green of Christian Associates of Southwestern Pennsylvania (past Chapter President) and Sylvia and Jerry Lynn represented the Thrivent Chapter at the dedication event. Jerry Lynn is the Allegheny Chapter’s ThriventBuilds Specialist. For more information about volunteering with Habitat For Humanity, please call Jerry Lynn at (412) 486-0151.