Emmy Award Winner Steve Thomas Joins Habitat for Humanity to Help Raise Awareness for Affordable Housing

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Oct 24, 2011, 10:00 ET

ATLANTA, Oct. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Steve Thomas, Emmy Award-winning television personality and former host of the home improvement shows This Old House and Renovation Nation, has partnered with Habitat for Humanity International to help raise awareness about the need for decent, affordable housing.

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"I am pleased and excited to join Habitat for Humanity in helping to raise awareness for its mission," said Thomas. "There is such a great need for affordable housing around the world, and I hope our efforts will motivate more people to support this cause."

Thomas recently traveled to Maai Mahiu, Kenya, to help put the finishing touches on Habitat for Humanity's 500,000th home and to Paterson, N.J., where he joined in the celebration of Habitat's 500,001st home that will be constructed.

Over the course of his career, Thomas is recognized as the "ultimate home enthusiast" and an "expert-on-demand" on the home renovation process. A much-in-demand speaker as well as a home renovator, Thomas advocates for greener building/renovation techniques.

Thomas first worked with Habitat for Humanity during a 1990 trip to Charlotte to cover the launching of a new Habitat affiliate. He subsequently showcased the 1993 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project in Winnipeg, Canada, and thereafter continued to integrate coverage of Habitat's activities into his professional projects.

"Steve Thomas is a terrific advocate for Habitat's mission, and we believe his reputation as an expert in home renovation and sustainable building will help raise great awareness for our work," said Chris Clarke, senior vice president of Marketing and Communications with Habitat for Humanity International. "We are grateful for his support and excited about the opportunities this collaboration will bring."

Thomas also will help Habitat for Humanity launch "What Will You Build? with Steve Thomas," a social media campaign that will raise awareness for a number of Habitat programs around the world. Habitat.org will feature a new section where Thomas will share his expertise by answering questions on home improvement and other affordable housing-related topics submitted by fans of Habitat's social media networks, as well as hosting a series of online videos covering various Habitat builds. The first video chronicles Thomas' time working on Habitat's 500,000th house in Maai Mahiu, Kenya. "What Will You Build? With Steve Thomas" will be available online at www.habitat.org/SteveThomas.

About Habitat for Humanity International

Habitat for Humanity International is a global nonprofit Christian housing organization that seeks to put God's love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope. Since 1976, Habitat has served more than 500,000 families by welcoming people of all races, religions and nationalities to construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. For more information, to donate or to volunteer, please visit www.habitat.org, or follow us at www.facebook.com/habitat or at www.twitter.com/habitat_org or join Habitat's blog community at www.habitat.org/blog.

SOURCE Habitat for Humanity International