Building hope in HOPE VI

Published: 1/26/2009 12:00:00 AM

With help from Habitat for Humanity, sponsors and about 1,000 community volunteers, seven families will soon experience the thrill of homeownership for the first time. On Saturday, April 18, Knoxville Habitat for Humanity will launch its seven-houses-in-seven-days blitz build. During the week, volunteers will build seven homes from the ground up in the Mechanicsville Commons (HOPE VI) neighborhood.

Alvin Nance, Executive Director and CEO, Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation

Building hope in HOPE VI

With help from Habitat for Humanity, sponsors and about 1,000 community volunteers, seven families will soon experience the thrill of homeownership for the first time.

On Saturday, April 18, Knoxville Habitat for Humanity will launch its seven-houses-in-seven-days blitz build. During the week, volunteers will build seven homes from the ground up in the Mechanicsville Commons (HOPE VI) neighborhood.

Habitat houses typically follow the same design, but the folks at Habitat for Humanity appreciate the beauty of the newly renovated Mechanicsville neighborhood and are altering the design of these homes to match the neighborhood. Three of the houses will have two stories – a first for Habitat homes in Knoxville!

I’m proud of the work that KCDC did in the neighborhood, and am truly pleased to see that Habitat for Humanity is willing to go outside its standard designs to maintain the look and feel of the new Mechanicsville.

If you’re not familiar with Habitat for Humanity, it’s a Christian housing ministry that partners with people of all beliefs to build simple, decent, affordable homes. Homeowners pay for their homes through a 20-year, no-interest mortgage. They also perform 500 “sweat equity” hours by attending homeownership and budgeting classes and working alongside volunteers to build their homes.

Habitat for Humanity builds more than homes, it builds hope. For more information on Knoxville Habitat for Humanity, call 865-523-5939.

KCDC’s mission is to improve and transform neighborhoods and communities by providing quality affordable housing, advancing development initiatives and fostering self-sufficiency. For more information, call 865-403-1100 or visit http://www.kcdc.org.