Franklin Family Accepts Keys to Nissan-sponsored Habitat for Humanity Home

FRANKLIN, Tenn., Nov. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, at a dedication ceremony conducted by Habitat for Humanity of Williamson County, Nissan Vice President Jon Brancheau presented the keys to the latest Nissan-sponsored Habitat home to homeowner Annie Dixon. Over the prior five weeks, more than 150 Nissan employee volunteers helped to build the Dixon home located near downtown Franklin.

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"Nissan is a longstanding partner of Habitat for Humanity, and its commitment to building sustainable communities aligns with our corporate vision to enrich people's lives," said Brancheau. "We are honored to have worked with Ms. Dixon to build her new home and to have had this opportunity to make such a positive contribution in our hometown community."

Dixon has a son and a daughter who are attending Middle Tennessee State University. A Franklin native and lifelong resident, she has worked as a teacher at the Community Child Care Center off Natchez Street for 38 years.  Since she does not have a driver's license and has relied on public transportation to get to her workplace, she is excited that her new home is located within walking distance of her job.

"This is a dream for me and my children, and I plan to settle in this place for the rest of my life," said Dixon. "'I am so grateful to everyone at Nissan who has worked so hard to help me.  I have peace of mind now, knowing that I have a safe, comfortable home to take care of and call my own."

The Dixons' home is the 139th home built by Habitat for Humanity of Williamson County since the organization was incorporated as an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International in 1992.  This is the seventh house built by Nissan in Williamson County.

"Community partnerships are the foundation of Habitat's impact and success as a charitable organization," said Becket Moore, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Williamson County.  "Our 'hand-up' philosophy of providing affordable and safe housing cannot be accomplished without the generosity and support of community-focused volunteers and sponsors. We are honored to have a corporate sponsor like Nissan, who commits to funding and building a whole home each year. We are excited about today's dedication; we will be able to thank Nissan and celebrate Ms. Dixon's future in her new home."

The Nissan-sponsored Habitat home is equipped with many "green living" features, including low-flowing plumbing fixtures, programmable thermostats, energy-efficient fluorescent lighting, high-performance windows and ENERGY STAR^® appliances. These eco-friendly amenities align with Nissan's Green Program, which supports efforts to reduce the company's impact on the environment.

Funding for Dixons' home is part of the $1.5 million donation to Habitat for Humanity International made by Nissan in 2013. Nissan is funding the construction of homes in Arizona, California, Michigan, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas and Toronto, Canada. The company is funding grants and providing Nissan vehicles to 10 Habitat affiliates that make commitments to sustainable construction practices. Habitat is using a portion of Nissan's donation to conduct sustainability "summits" for Habitat affiliates and their local communities. Nissan funding has also supported the annual Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project in October 2013, when six Nissan employees joined more than 500 volunteers to help build or renovate homes in five U.S. cities during the weeklong project.

Nissan's partnership with Habitat dates to 2005, following hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  Nissan donated 50 Nissan Titan trucks to assist Habitat's response efforts in the Gulf Coast and mobilized employees to assist in home building. Since 2006, Nissan has provided cash and in-kind donations of $7.8 million, and Nissan employees have worked with homeowners across the United States to help build more than 50 homes.

About Nissan North America

In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com, or visit the media sites NissanNews.com and InfinitiNews.com.

About Nissan

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 236,000 employees globally, Nissan sold more than 4.9 million vehicles and generated revenue of 9.6 trillion yen (USD 116.16 billion) in fiscal 2012. Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of over 60 models under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. In 2010, Nissan introduced the Nissan LEAF, and continues to lead in zero-emission mobility. The LEAF, the first mass-market, pure-electric vehicle launched globally, is now the best-selling EV in history. For more information on our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.

About Habitat for Humanity of Williamson County

Since 1992, Habitat for Humanity of Williamson County (HFHWC) has partnered with local churches, businesses, foundations and the public sector to provide 139 hard-working, low-income Williamson and Maury County families with the opportunity to purchase their own homes. Home construction and neighborhood development are funded through tax-deductible financial contributions and in-kind donations from high school students, local businesses, churches, civic organizations, and individuals, as well as through profits generated from the affiliate's ReStore. These contributions, along with the labor of sponsor employees, church members, and other volunteers, enable Habitat for Humanity of Williamson County to build and sell homes to families who qualify.   

Applicants are selected to partner with Habitat for Humanity of Williamson County based on three criteria: the need for housing, the ability to pay the mortgage, and the willingness to partner.  After a thorough qualification process, partner families must earn up to 500 hours of "sweat equity" by completing a homebuyer's education program and working on others' homes and their own home. HFHWC sells the homes at cost and does not charge interest on the mortgage loan, which makes the payments affordable. For more information about our homeownership program, please visit our website at www.habitatwilliamson.org.

Habitat for Humanity of Williamson County is an equal opportunity lender and is pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin.

SOURCE Nissan North America

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