For Release 09/20/2021
Northeast Texas Habitat for Humanity
LaJuan Gordon, CEO
903-236-0900 Ext. 202 director@netxhabitat.org
NE Texas Habitat to Repair Homes with $350,000 Grant from USDA Rural Development
09/20/2021 – Northeast Texas Habitat has received a Housing Preservation Grant of $350,000 from the US Department of Agriculture to improve rural Gregg, Harrison, and Upshur county homes. The organization will focus on correcting health and safety hazards in the homes of lower-income elderly individuals, persons with disabilities, and military veterans.
USDA Rural Development works to increase economic development and improve the quality of life in rural places and small towns. “USDA Rural Development 5 year partnership with Northeast Texas Habitat for Humanity has provided repair/rehabilitation assistance to many low and very low-income rural citizens in Northeast Texas”, said Yolanda Collins, USDA Rural Development Area 4 Director. “Our partnership has helped tremendously in USDA Rural Development initiative to provide the assistance needed for citizens of rural communities.”
NE Texas Habitat has repaired more than 700 hundred homes across its three-county area since starting the critical repair program in 2013. The HPG grant award will provide up to fifteen repairs beginning in November 2021.
“ Living in a home that is safe, accessible, and affordable is crucial to physical, financial, and emotional health,” said La Juan Gordon, NE Texas Habitat CEO. “ A poll by the American Planning Association found that sixty-nine percent of adults ages 50-65 said staying in their home and community for as long as possible was essential. However, the reality is that the factors and capabilities necessary to maintain a healthy, safe home shift over time. NE Texas Habitat is committed to helping the people of our communities stay healthier and live affordably and safely at home for as long as they choose to so.” According to Ms. Gordon, the home repair program also benefits the larger community by strengthening its residents, preserving or increasing property values and, enhancing community livability over time.
To apply for home repair assistance, contribute, or volunteer, contact the organization at info@netxhabitat.org or 903-236-0900. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/northeasttexashabitat for progress updates, success stories, and program announcements.
Northeast Texas Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit housing ministry dedicated to eradicating the devastating effects of poverty housing. The organization serves Gregg, Harrison, and Upshur counties. Habitat assists in the areas of homeownership, home repair, and home maintenance and operates a ReStore. To learn more, visit www.netxhabitat.org or call 903-236-0900 ext. 204.
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For Release 09/03/2021
CONTACT: Northeast Texas Habitat for Humanity
LaJuan Gordon, CEO
903-236-0900 Ext. 202 director@netxhabitat.org
NE Texas Habitat and City of Marshall Continue Home Repair Partnership
09/03/2021 – Marshall, TX. – Northeast Texas Habitat announced today that the City of Marshall had awarded the organization $100,000 to revitalize neighborhood homes in the City. The award is the fourth year of the ongoing partnership between the City of Marshall and NE Texas Habitat.
The program focuses on correcting health and safety hazards in the homes of lower-income elderly individuals, persons with disabilities, and military veterans. NE Texas Habitat began the critical repair program in Harrison County in 2017 and partnered with the City in 2018. To date, NE Texas Habitat has completed 136 repair projects in Harrison County.
Mark Rohr, City Manager, shared that Marshall is very interested in improving the City’s neighborhoods. “The Habitat program is one of several partners in the City’s Neighborhood Revitalization Program approved by a “forward-looking” City Council,” he said.
“I know how important this type of funding can be for keeping our neighborhoods healthy,” said Fabio Angell. Director of Community Planning and Economic Development. By (rehabbing) homes in our community, we do more than just help a family. We partner with God’s people in need to put each other’s Faith into action for our whole City.” NE Texas Habitat expects to repair up to twelve homes with the dollars.
To apply for home repair assistance, contribute, or volunteer, contact the organization at info@netxhabitat.org or 903-236-0900. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/northeasttexashabitat
Northeast Texas Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit housing ministry dedicated to eradicating the devastating effects of poverty housing. The organization serves Gregg, Harrison, and Upshur counties. Habitat assists in the areas of homeownership, home repair, and home maintenance and operates a ReStore. To learn more, visit www.netxhabitat.org or call 903-236-0900 ext. 204.
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For Release 08/30/2021
CONTACT: Northeast Texas Habitat for Humanity
LaJuan Gordon, CEO
903-236-0900 Ext. 202 director@netxhabitat.org
Two Families Begin Building with NE Texas Habitat for Humanity
08/30/2021 – Longview, TX. –The Richardson and Robinson families raised the walls on their new Habitat homes this weekend in Longview and Marshall.
The three-bedroom, two-bath homes will be the 114 and 115th homes built by Northeast Texas Habitat in partnership with families and community volunteers since its inception in 1985.
“I was overwhelmed.,” said Shadaria (Bree) Richardson recalling the day the foundation was poured for her home. “When I saw the slab, I teared up. Homeownership became real, then, and I thought, ‘everything is finally, really going to come together for me.’”
Individuals who participate in the homeownership program must invest a $1,000 down payment and complete 350 “sweat equity” (volunteer) hours in the community, including fifty-six hours of new homeowner education, before purchasing the home from Habitat with an affordable mortgage. On average, a Habitat partner will have helped to build at least two other Habitat homes before beginning work on their home.
Community volunteers provide much of the labor, and financial and in-kind sponsors give the rest. The donations help control construction costs, keeping the purchase price very affordable for future homeowners, who typically cannot qualify for conventional home financing.
“Everyone should have the opportunity to get ahead, secure their family’s future, and to live in a safe, decent home,” said Chief Executive Officer La Juan Gordon. “Future Habitat Homeowners, work hard, but the cost of living continues to rise faster than wages. Often that means, families must forgo some of the critical building blocks that keep them healthy and thriving.
Habitat mortgages are structured to guarantee that home costs remain at thirty percent or below the family’s monthly income so that the family can pull out of housing poverty and begin to build wealth and more self-sufficiency.”
The homes under construction now in Marshal and Longview are expected to be complete before year-end. Volunteers are encouraged to come out to build with the Richardson and Robinson families on Saturdays 8:00 am-Noon. No construction experience is necessary.
Build locations:
Marshall – 2207 N. Franklin Street
Longview – 310 W. Walnut
To contribute, volunteer, or get more information about Habitat programs, contact the organization at info@netxhabitat.org or 903-236-0900. Follow the construction progress on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/northeasttexashabitat
Northeast Texas Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit housing ministry dedicated to eradicating the devastating effects of poverty housing. The organization serves Gregg, Harrison, and Upshur counties. Habitat assists in the areas of homeownership, home repair, and home maintenance and operates a ReStore. To learn more, to volunteer, or to donate, visit www.netxhabitat.org or call 903-236-0900 ext. 204.
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