Evansville, Indiana (January 26, 2010) – Habitat for Humanity of Evansville began demolishing vacant warehouses on Shadewood Avenue today to make way for a housing development called Shadewood Place that will include 19 Habitat homes and four market-rate homes built by Bussing Construction.

Estimated cost for the demolition, infrastructure, site development and construction, excluding the market-rate homes, is $1.8 million. Funding for this development is being made possible through grants from the City of Evansville and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis and through 15 Habitat house sponsorships. Construction is expected to begin in June.

“Today would not have been possible without the support from our partners,” said Lori Reed, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Evansville. “This is an example of what can happen when private, government and nonprofit entities come together to improve the lives of families.”

Evansville Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel thanked members of the Glenwood Neighborhood Association for their efforts at enhancing the neighborhood. Moments after the demolition of the buildings began, Weinzapfel climbed aboard an excavator and took his turn at knocking down a corner of one of the buildings.

Shadewood Place is part of a larger effort among many organizations to revitalize the Glenwood neighborhood. For the past two years, Habitat has been working closely with the Glenwood Neighborhood Association and other community partners to revitalize the neighborhood, bordered by U.S. 41, Riverside Drive and Veterans Memorial Parkway. Many events have taken place during this time to raise awareness of the needs in this area and to mobilize residents, including four community discussions, a community block party and health fair and assessments conducted by the University of Southern Indiana. These events are guiding the work of six priority teams, focusing on housing and infrastructure, education, business and commerce, safety, clean and green and health and wellness.

In addition to Shadewood Place, Habitat is also piloting a rehab program in the Glenwood neighborhood, an area where some of the first Habitat homes were built 25 years ago. This program will provide existing Habitat homeowners with funds necessary to make needed repairs, such as a new roof or windows. Work for the first few families to qualify for this program will begin in the spring.

For more information on this development or to sponsor a Habitat home, please call the Habitat office at 423-5623.

About Habitat for Humanity of Evansville
Founded in 1984, Habitat for Humanity of Evansville is a nonprofit Christian ministry whose mission is to build and sell simple, decent houses to hardworking families in Vanderburgh and Posey counties. We partner with individuals, churches, businesses and civic organizations who share our vision to make adequate, affordable housing for all a matter of conscience and action.

To be eligible, families must have incomes at or below 60 percent of the area median income. They must have a need for housing, be willing to contribute 300 hours in sweat equity and have the ability to pay their mortgage based on a 25-year, no-interest loan.

For more information, go to www.evansvillehabitat.org or call (812) 423-5623.