Office Of The Mayor
Thomas M. McMahon


PRESS RELEASE

For More Information:

Ginny Hand,
Mayor’s Office
610-655-6320

Jay Worrall,
Habitat for Humanity
610-375-4194

City of Reading Community Development Department, the Reading Housing Authority, Coldwell-Banker Landis Homesale Services, and the Allstate Foundation come together to provide over $300,000 to fund Habitat for Humanity projects in Reading

READING, Pa (March 8, 2006) – Reading-Berks Habitat for Humanity is very pleased to announce a unique public-private housing venture in the City of Reading. In cooperation with the City of Reading Community Development Department, the Reading Housing Authority is using federal funds designated for City of Reading homeownership projects to support Habitat for Humanity construction projects in Reading. These funds will be matched in part by $50,000 sponsorships for homes in the Glenside neighborhood by the Allstate Foundation and Coldwell-Banker Landis Homesale Services.

“We feel there is a natural partnership between the Housing Authority and Habitat for Humanity,” said Daniel Luckey, executive director of the Reading Housing Authority. “We’re happy be able to continue to help low-income families into permanent housing.”

Habitat will be working on 5 homes in Reading in 2006, and has plans for more in the near future. “This funding provides us the ‘leg-up’ we need to increase our production significantly over the next year or two,” said Jay Worrall, Reading-Berks Habitat for Humanity executive director. “The generosity of the City, the Housing Authority, Coldwell-Banker and Allstate will be matched by volunteers in our community coming together to work with our partner families.”

This funding is part of Mayor Tom McMahon’s focus on creating homeownership opportunities in the City. “The City of Reading Community Development team is now focused on providing quality homes and stabilizing neighborhoods with home ownership. This is yet another example of organizations partnering to achieve mutual goals”, stated Mayor McMahon as he announced this partnership today.

Coldwell-Banker Landis Homesale Services has been raising funds since last year to support the project. “We are very pleased to be a part of this wonderful project. In fact, our Company will be sponsoring four homes for Habitat throughout our eleven county market area. We’re doing this in conjunction with Coldwell Banker Real Estate’s 100 Homes for Habitat project, sponsoring 100 Habitat homes nationally in celebration of our 100th Anniversary as a Real Estate firm.” Said Lloyd Dreibelbis, Eastern Region President for Coldwell-Banker Homesale Services. “I’m most pleased to say that one of the homes we are sponsoring for Habitat will be built right here in Reading.”

Volunteers at Encompass Insurance in Spring Township, a division of Allstate, are eager to get to work. "This is the second year the Allstate Foundation has given $50,000 to support local activities and charities in our community,” says Marty Davis, Encompass Insurance spokesperson. "Our donation in 2004 went to the construction of the playground at the Thomas Ford Elementary School in Reading. The playground has provided a safe environment for the children in Reading to play. We hope that the family who purchases this home, enjoys it and realizes that with Allstate, the American dream of owning a home really can come true."

Volunteers will be needed to help build at 407 N 10th Street immediately, and on Monroe Street starting in the Spring. Reading-Berks Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit ecumenical housing ministry dedicated to building decent, affordable housing in partnership with those in need in Berks County, Pa. Families who purchase Habitat for Humanity homes must first contribute 400 hours construction labor on a Habitat home, called “sweat-equity.” Homes are sold to the families at fair market value, and financed by Reading-Berks Habitat for Humanity with zero-interest mortgages. The payments made by the families on their mortgages are then used to build more homes in the community. Habitat relies on sweat-equity and volunteers for the “un-skilled” labor on their homes. Since 1987, Reading-Berks Habitat for Humanity has worked with 32 families to build homes. For more information or to volunteer, visit www.rbhabitat.org or call (610) 373-3439.

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