HUD Recognized by Habitat Humanity for Affordable Housing Support in Alabama

Volunteer from the Birmingham HUD office during the 2011 Home Builders Blitz working on the Billingslea home.

At the Association of Alabama Habitat for Humanity Affiliates most recent awards dinner in Montgomery, AL, Charles Moore, President and CEO of the Birmingham Habitat affiliate recognized the key relationship the affiliate has with HUD. After recognizing Michael German, the new Alabama Field Office Director for HUD, to the room of Habitat leaders from across the state, Moore encouraged affiliates to explore the key programs available by HUD to support affordable housing in their communities.

Greater Birmingham Habitat for Humanity is one of the many Habitat affiliates across the county closely working hand in hand with HUD to improve homes, lives and communities.

Habitat for Humanity provides quality, affordable housing solutions to low to moderate- income individuals and families. Applicants must apply for the homeownership program, meet program criteria, have the ability to repay a no interest mortgage, and commit sweat equity into the partnership. These program parameters are a natural fit for HUD's affordable housing programs including HOME, SHOP, NSP and CDBG.

Over the past five years, the Birmingham Habitat affiliate has utilized each of these programs to support the needs of the community, improving the living conditions of 200 households through a combination of new construction, repairs to existing homes, and rehabilitation of foreclosed homes in the Greater Birmingham region. In addition, HUD employees regularly volunteer during Habitat Birmingham's Annual Home Builders Blitz.

The completed Billinslea home that HUD helped build in 2011 during the Home Builders Blitz with Habitat Birmingham.

There are 35 Habitat for Humanity affiliates in the state of Alabama; the 2,000th Habitat home in the state is planned for this spring in Mobile. For information on AAHA, visit www.alabamahabitat.org. For information on the Habitat Birmingham, visit www.habitatbirmingham.org.

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