Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County joining national home-building alliance that will partner with 355 American families in 2007

Locally, 1 home will be built in Citrus County with $73,000.00 as part of this effort

INVERNESS, FLA. (Dec. 18, 2006) – A national home-building alliance between Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Habitat for Humanity International will help Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County expand its home building capacity by 1 home this year. The home will be built in Inverness.

The additional home is part of the Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity alliance that brings together thousands of volunteers and financial support from Thrivent Financial. Today, Habitat and Thrivent Financial are announcing $24.5 million has been committed to build 355 additional homes in 43 states with families in need in 2007.

“Our affiliate is very excited to be a part of Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity.” said Terry Steele, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County. “I’ve heard how it is helping other Habitat affiliates grow and partner with even more families. I’m looking forward to seeing how it can help in our community. We look forward to building a strong ongoing relationship with St. Timothy Lutheran Church of Crystal River, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Hernando, Faith Lutheran Church of Lecanto, First Lutheran Church of Inverness, St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Beverly Hills and Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church of Citrus Springs.”

Thrivent Financial became Habitat for Humanity International’s largest ally as a result of a four-year $105 million commitment to help increase the non-profit housing ministry’s home building production. In addition, Thrivent Financial rallied its national network of nearly 3 million members to volunteer. The alliance gives local Habitat affiliates the opportunity to work with more low-income families toward achieving Habitat’s mission of eliminating substandard housing.

In 2006, the first year of the alliance, 313 families in 43 states achieved the dream of home ownership—a projected six percent increase in Habitat’s U.S. home production. In its second year, the alliance is again increasing Habitat’s home construction by working with 256 Habitat affiliates to build the 355 homes.

“The Citrus County Lutheran churches and the Citrus County Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans are very excited to be part of giving another partner family a helping hand up,” said John Schultz, Thrivent Financial Lutheran Community Services Specialist – Thrivent Builds, of the Florida Region of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. “This will be one of 12 homes to be built in Florida next year as part of the Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity alliance. It will be another wonderful opportunity for our members to serve with both their financial and volunteer resources.”

Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity brings together two national nonprofit networks of 1,699 Habitat affiliates and 1,362 Thrivent volunteer chapters. Locally, the Citrus County Thrivent volunteer chapters will be helping with the homes. The need for an effort of this magnitude is great: 

• More than 13 million U.S. households use at least half of their income to pay for housing. 
• Millions more live in overcrowded conditions or housing with severe physical deficiencies, such as having no hot water, electricity or toilet.

To learn more, visit www.thriventbuilds.com. 

About the Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County affiliate.

Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County is a nonprofit Christian housing ministry dedicated to building decent, affordable housing in partnership with those in need in Citrus County.  Since 1993, Habitat for Humanity of Citrus has worked with 29 families to build homes. For more information, visit http://www.habitatcc.org.

About the Florida Region of Thrivent Financial

The Florida Region consists of 35 chapters, more than 67,000 members, and 75 financial representatives. Together with its members, Thrivent Financial’s Florida Region provided more than $900,000 to build 10 Thrivent Builds homes in Florida in 2006. For more information, visit http://www.lutheransonline.com/rfo190.

About Habitat for Humanity International

Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in Americus, Ga., in 1976, Habitat has built more than 200,000 houses in nearly 100 countries, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1 million people. For more information, visit www.habitat.org.

About Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a not-for-profit membership organization helping nearly 3 million members achieve their financial goals and give back to their communities. As a not-for-profit fraternal benefit society, Thrivent Financial sponsors national outreach programs and activities that support congregations, schools, charitable organizations and individuals in need. Thrivent Financial has main offices in Minneapolis, Minn., and Appleton, Wis. For more information, visit www.thrivent.com.