Friday, September 10, 2010

News/Events

Indian River Habitat Selected to Participate
In Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative

Indian River Habitat for Humanity (IRHFH) has been selected as one of only 163 affiliates nationwide to participate in the initial phase of Habitat for Humanity International's Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative, a program that will focus on improving housing conditions while partnering with other community organizations to provide services that enhance the overall quality of life in struggling neighborhoods.

IRHFH President Andy Bowler said, "We at IRHFH see this new initiative as a multiple-win situation. By rehabbing, repairing or repainting an older home, we not only help the family that lives in that home, but we also revitalize the neighborhood. In addition, a program such as this could certainly attract new donors and volunteers.

"Today, IRHFH has a continuum of services to needy families in Indian River County, many of which will be at no cost to the homeowner: from building new homes, to the purchase and rehab of existing homes, to repairs, weatherization and painting of existing homes.

"We are seeking the help of churches, civic groups and the public at large to help us identify families that could benefit from these new initiatives. Call Lindsey Goodall at 772.538.0968 X211 for more information."
In 2009, Habitat for Humanity International announced the formal launch of the Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative, which encourages affiliates to serve more families and create more resilient and sustainable communities by offering a variety of services in addition to new house construction.

This initiative "adds another dimension to our mission of providing families with decent, affordable places to live," said Larry Gluth, Senior Vice-President of Habitat's U.S. and Canada area office.

IRHFH will work with other community organizations to determine the projects that will be carried out locally. Habitat services may include new house construction, rehabilitation of vacant and foreclosed properties, house repairs for low-income homeowners and weatherization to make houses more energy-efficient and affordable. Click here for more information on current local NRI projects.

About Habitat for Humanity International: HFHI is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built, rehabilitated, repaired or improved more than 350,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1.75 million people.

Indian River Habitat for Humanity

Receives Prestigious Aurora Award

Indian River Habitat for Humanity was awarded an Aurora Award (considered the Grammys of the home building industry) during the Annual Industry Gala at the 2010 Southeast Building Conference/Green Building Show in Orlando. Indian River Habitat for Humanity won for its entry, which included the new construction completed by the affiliate in 2009 in the Oslo Park neighborhood of Vero Beach and the Grace Meadows community in Fellsmere.

Home building professionals in a 12-state southeast region plus the Caribbean received nationally recognized AURORA Awards for new home construction, remodeling, commercial/mixed use and design excellence. The awards honor builders, designers, architects and other industry professionals from Texas to Virginia.

“The AURORA Awards are the Grammy’s of the home building profession,” said Patti Guthrie, of Marc-Michaels Interior Design in Winter Park, FL and 2010 AURORA Award Chair. “The AURORA symbolizes tremendous achievement, honor and distinction among building industry professionals.”

Indian River Habitat for Humanity has demonstrated its commitment to its homeowners and the environment by incorporating a solar water heater in to each of its last 80 homes. Additionally, the affiliate teaches a homebuyer class on “green living”, manages an onsite recycling program, and certifies all of its homes via the Energy Star Program.

The AURORA Awards drew over 225 entries. Leading industry professionals judged the contenders, selecting the best in new home construction and design in the southeast. Of the 123 AURORA Award winners, there were:

27 Grand winners,
9 Best in State winners,
1 Golden Award winner.

About Aurora Awards: The AURORA Award competition is open to builders, architects, interior designers, landscape architects and other home building professionals in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. AURORA Award winners are announced each year in conjunction with the Southeast Building Conference. SEBC is a 12-state regional conference attended by more than 10,000 home building professionals.