FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 13, 2001

CONTACT, Katie O'Rourke
804-343-5520
katie.orourke@vhda.com

VHDA Makes "Key" to Homeownership Come True for Habitat Family

Chesterfield, VA - After three years of spending hours in interviews, paperwork, and investing more than 350 "sweat equity" hours toward the construction of Habitat homes, the Tillery family is finally going to reap the rewards of the hard work and their commitment of three years ago.

Sam, his wife, Lafreda and their three children will attend the dedication ceremony of their new Virginia Housing Development Authority sponsored Habitat house to receive the keys to their new three bedroom home. VHDA and the Tillerys expressed they are honored that this house is one of the two very first houses built as part of an innovative, Habitat for Humanity 27-house development being built in the Merriewood subdivision of Chesterfield County.

In attendance to present the keys to the family will be Susan Dewey, executive director of the Virginia Housing Development Authority, Eric Norman, chairman of Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors, and Danny Ludeman, chief executive officer of First Union Securities, whose company is also sponsoring one of the first of two of 27 houses being built as part of the development. Also in attendance will be Phil Cunningham from the Chesterfield County Planning Department.

"God has truly blessed us," said Sam Tillery about his family's new home. "Our family thanks all the beautiful people who came out and worked as hard as they did on our home. We appreciate every nail and board in this home."

Eric Norman, chairman of Richmond's Metropolitan Habitat board of directors, led the dedication and acknowledged the volunteers, staff and sponsor representatives from the Virginia Housing Development Authority and First Union Securities.

Susan Dewey, executive director of Virginia Housing Development Authority will present the Tillerys with a tree. In presenting the gift she said, "Everyone at VHDA wishes you the best as you move into your new home. I believe I speak for those of us who worked on your home that a part of us will always be with you as long as you live here. We are proud to have shared in this important time in your lives." It is noteworthy that over half of VHDA's 308 associates volunteered more than a total of 1,500 work hours on the home.

Richmond Habitat is a Christian-based, non-profit housing ministry committed to the elimination of substandard housing in the Richmond area and counties of Chesterfield and Henrico.

The dedication ceremony takes place today at the new Tillery house on Friday, July 13, at Merriewood in Chesterfield at 4:00 pm. The Merriewood neighborhood is located just off of Jefferson Davis Highway in Chesterfield County.

Virginia Housing Development Authority provides low-interest rate home loans and other home loan financing alternatives to Virginians seeking safe, decent, affordable housing. Currently, VHDA services more than 150 Habitat loans at no cost to Richmond Habitat for Humanity.