Ranking marks the first time Habitat is in the top 10

ST. CHARLES, MO., July 13, 2010 – Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County helped Habitat for Humanity achieve the rank of No. 8 on the Builder 100 list, marking the first time the nonprofit has been among the top 10 biggest builders in the United States. The list also shows Habitat, with 5,294 closings last year, moved up three spots in 2009 from its 2008 ranking of No. 11.

Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County is proud to be building 8 homes this year, with four homes already completed and four currently under construction.  In addition to building hope and homeownership, Habitat St. Charles is working in partnership with Laclede Gas Company and the St. Louis Home Builders Association, utilizing the NAHB Green Building Initiative (GBI). The GBI is a “green” building initiative that focuses on building sustainable homes and provides benefits to the homeowner and the surrounding community. Already, four homes built in St. Peters have received a SILVER Rating from the GBI. Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County Humanity is one of 123 Habitat affiliates across 45 states that was selected to participate in the national green building initiative of The Home Depot Foundation and Habitat for Humanity International, Partners in Sustainable Building.

“The generosity of our friends at The Home Depot Foundation, Laclede Gas Company and the St. Louis HBA have helped our affiliate expand its green building practices,” said Ashlee Johnson, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County. “We are excited to build homes that are now more energy efficient and have better indoor air quality with Energy Star features, which will provide a better quality of life for our homeowners.”

“Habitat for Humanity affiliates have been working in more than 1,500 communities in the U.S. to ensure that more than 5,200 families had a new or renovated affordable home to live in last year,” said Mark Andrews, senior director of U.S. Operations for Habitat for Humanity International. “We could not have accomplished this work without the sustained support of local leaders, volunteers and donors.”

About Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County

Since 1996, Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County has partnered with churches, businesses, foundations and individuals to provide 44 hard working, low-income St. Charles County families with the opportunity to build, buy and own their own home. Home construction and neighborhood development costs are funded through tax-deductible financial and in-kind contributions from local businesses, churches, foundations, civic organizations and individuals.   These contributions, along with the labor of sponsor employees, members or other volunteers, as well as the future homeowner, enable Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County to build and sell homes to families selected to partner with Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County.

Families are selected to partner with Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County on the basis of family income and their demonstrated need for affordable housing.  After an extensive qualification process, the families must complete 350 hours of “sweat equity,” purchase the home at a “cost of construction” price through a 30-year, interest-free mortgage, and make monthly mortgage, insurance and tax payments totaling $475 - $550.   Over 115 children in our community have benefited from the blessings that come from living in a simple, decent, family-owned Habitat for Humanity home. For more information please visit, www.habitatstcharles.org.

About Habitat for Humanity International

Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built, rehabilitated, repaired or improved more than 350,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1.75 million people. For more information, or to donate or volunteer, visit www.habitatstcharles.org.

All info is provided by Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles