FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 30, 2001

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

Richmond, VA - After learning that more than $10,000 of power tools and building materials were stolen from the Merriewood Habitat development at the Chesterfield site, the Virginia Housing Development Authority decided to deepen its commitment to the Habitat house it sponsored and built for low-income residents.

On Thursday, August 30, at 1:00 pm at the Merriwood Habitat development, VHDA Habitat Project Leader Yvonne Farmer, will present Habitat Richmond Metropolitan Executive Director Susan M. Wood, with a $2,000 check to help cover expenses to replace its recently stolen supplies.

Coincidentally, VHDA was one of the two sponsors to build one of the first two Habitat houses in the Merriewood development. Of the agency's 300-member staff, more than 150 associates contributed more than 1,500 hours of "sweat equity," to help build a first-time home to help a family make a dream come true.

Referring to the check presentation, Farmer said, "We are pleased to help make it possible for Habitat to finish building homes for more than 25 families at Merriewood. Habitat families work extremely hard to qualify for a house they can finally call 'home,' a place where they can start a new life. All of us at VHDA are glad we have the opportunity again to be a part of the Habitat commitment."