A Presbyterian church in Charlotte, North Carolina, is teaming up with the owner of a local restaurant and an international Christian nonprofit to build more than a dozen homes to help lessen the city’s affordable housing crisis.
On March 15, Myers Park Presbyterian Church announced it is donating $1 million to Habitat for Humanity, an Atlanta, Georgia-based Christian nonprofit that has provided affordable housing to more than 39 million people across the United States and more than 70 countries over the past 45 years.
A large portion of the church’s donation will build homes on land donated to Habitat for Humanity in 2018 by David Brooks and his twin brother Scott, who is now deceased.
Habitat for Humanity plans to build 17 affordable townhomes on the two-acre lot, which would otherwise only have accommodated eight or fewer freestanding single-family homes. The homes will be made available with affordable mortgages. The project is scheduled to start in late 2022.
“It’s going to be such a boost for people—hardworking people like ourselves—and I think it’s going to be something that’s appreciated and I can sleep well at night knowing I’ve done my part,” said David Brooks in an interview with WCNC, the local NBC affiliate.
“Expanding access to affordable housing is essential to combat chronic housing insecurity in Charlotte,” said Patty Arcia, director of outreach at Myers Park Presbyterian Church.
Millard and Linda Fuller founded Habitat for Humanity, a global Christian nonprofit housing organization, in 1976. Its mission is “to put God’s love into action” and bring people together “to build homes, communities and hope.” But Habitat for Humanity does not proselytize as part of their programs, and they will not work with entities or individuals who insist on proselytizing as part of their work.
President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn have worked as Habitat volunteers for the past 35 years. “Habitat provides a simple but powerful avenue for people of different backgrounds to come together to achieve those most meaningful things in life,” said Carter. “A decent home, yes, but also a genuine bond with our fellow human beings. A bond that comes with the building up of walls and the breaking down of barriers.” The Carters have helped raise awareness about the organization, which also provides assistance and training programs for natural and man-made disasters and civil unrest.
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