Habitat for Humanity of Washington, D.C. Launches New Ivy City Project With the Help of the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project and Generous Support of Local Sponsors

WASHINGTON, Oct. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Habitat for Humanity of Washington, D.C. began construction in the Ivy City neighborhood of Northeast Washington last week as part of the 27th annual "Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project" (JRCWP).  The week-long build event served as the launch of a two to three year-long project during which DC Habitat will build, rehabilitate and repair homes in the Ivy City community.  President and Mrs. Carter volunteered their time to build with DC Habitat on Monday, October 4, generating great exposure for this new development.

The Carters built alongside DC Habitat staff and nearly 1,000 volunteers in Ivy City, a largely industrial neighborhood in the central portion of Northeast Washington.  Ivy City, one of the area's smallest and least known communities, has faced great challenges and is home to a collection of houses dating back more than one hundred years.

The launch of DC Habitat's new development was supported not only by the Carters and Habitat for Humanity International, but also through the generous contributions of many local sponsors.  Arnold & Porter LLP, Citi, DHCD (DC Department of Housing & Urban Development), Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, LISC (Local Initiatives Support Collaboration), Lowe's, Marriott, NeighborWorks America, Promontory Financial Group, PRTM, U.S. Airways, and the World Bank Group all donated necessary funds to DC Habitat's work in Ivy City.  

Valuable gift-in-kind donations of building materials and supplies were provided by Calstar Products, Lafarge, Tile Partners for Humanity and Trico Lift. Food and beverage donations were also made throughout the week by local hospitality sponsors , including Freshii, General Mills, Pepsi and Whole Foods.

 Additionally, representatives from many of these companies and organizations were among the volunteers on site in Ivy City each day of the JRCWP week.  

"An event of this magnitude would not have been possible without the generous support of our local sponsors," said DC Habitat President & CEO Kent Adcock.  "Their support not only ensured the success of the Carter Work Project week, but also helps ensure that we will continue to make swift progress in the Ivy City community."

During the JRCWP week, six concrete slabs were transformed into fully framed houses and six rehabilitation units were fully prepped for new construction.  Families are expected to occupy the 12 new homes by spring of this coming year.

DC Habitat will complete work on an initial 13 units in Ivy City and, depending on funding, up to 15 additional units may be constructed.  The total cost of developing all 28 units is close to $6 million.  DC Habitat is one of three developers that were awarded land grants from the District, along with funds from the first round of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, to produce more than 50 units of mixed income housing in Ivy City.

About Habitat for Humanity of Washington, D.C.

Habitat for Humanity of Washington, D.C. believes that everyone deserves a house they want to call home.  That's why we work to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness in the nation's capital by building affordable, energy- and resource-efficient homes for people in need.  DC Habitat builds and rehabilitates homes in order to sell them to families who are ineligible for conventional financing. Visit us at www.dchabitat.org for more information.

Contact: Heather Phibbs, Habitat for Humanity of Washington, D.C., 202-882-4600, ext. 233, [email protected]

SOURCE Habitat for Humanity of Washington, D.C.