Birmingham Family New Homeowners Benefit from Neighborhood Stabilization Program American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

The Westry family happily stand in front of their home with HUD Deputy Secretary, Ronald Sims, (second from left in front row) and joined by HUD Birmingham Field Office staff in celebrating their first home purchase made possible by Habitat for Humanity through the use of HUD Neighborhood Stabilization Funds.

For the Westry family everything started to change for them last fall as they began the process of owning their first home and recently ended in home ownership made possible by their perseverance, the direct efforts of the Habitat for Humanity of Greater Birmingham and through the use of HUD Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) funding.

"Being a homeowner has been gratifying to myself and my children and has given us a sense of accomplishment at such a young age to be able show my children what hard work, perseverance and diligence that anything can be accomplished," said Ms Westry.

The Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) was established for the purpose of stabilizing communities that have suffered from foreclosures and abandonment. Through the purchase and redevelopment of foreclosed and abandoned homes and residential properties, the goal of the program is being realized.

HUD Deputy Secretary Ron Sims, was present during the house warming to congratulate the Westry family, recognize the efforts of the Birmingham HUD Office and Habitat for Humanity, Greater Birmingham.

"This beautiful house was a foreclosure just a couple of months ago…it was not in very good condition…it was rehabbed and now the Westry family have beautiful home and the family will grow up knowing that HUD and Habitat for Humanity in partnership with them helped them obtain a home of their own," stated Charles Moore, President, Habitat Humanity, Greater Birmingham.

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Birmingham has received a total of $6,065,302 in Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) funding. To date they have 36 properties that have been purchased or are under contract using NSP; 10 properties for which rehabilitation is complete, with homeowners living in them; 9 homes currently under rehabilitation; and 8 with participants scheduled to close on their rehabilitated homes. Officials with Habitat for Humanity project that the ARRA funds committed to the effort will generate in excess of 300 full time construction jobs over the life of the project.

For more information about HUD implementation of the Recovery Act, visit our website.

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