Celebrating International Women's Day on March 8, Habitat for Humanity and Lowe's unite
hundreds of volunteers to build and repair homes internationally
while spotlighting women's voices on global affordable housing
needs
ATLANTA, March 7, 2019 /CNW/ -- Habitat for Humanity,
Lowe's and hundreds of women volunteers will unite in 18
communities in the United States,
India and Canada for the first International Women Build
Day, a global event focused on building and improving homes
while raising awareness of affordable housing issues facing women
and their families. The build day is also a tribute to
International Women's Day, March
8.
"Homeownership empowers women here in the United States and around the world. Owning
an affordable home can remove barriers to opportunity and success
and lead to improved health, stronger childhood development and
financial stability," said Tjada McKenna, Chief Operating Officer,
Habitat for Humanity International. "Women have the power to make
remarkable changes within their communities. That's why we are
excited to partner with Lowe's in bringing together women from all
walks of life for an opportunity to lift each other up, learn from
one another and join together in building a safe and decent place
to call home."
For many, the ability to own and afford a home is an
unattainable dream, and the issue of affordable housing is a
growing global issue.
"Countless women struggle to provide shelter for their families.
Even in the United States, nearly
19 million households spend half or more of their income on a place
to live," said Jennifer Weber,
Executive Vice President and Lowe's Foundation Chair. "Too many
families must decide between housing and other critical needs, such
as food, health care, childcare, education and reliable
transportation. We stand with Habitat for Humanity on International
Women's Day to empower women to share their stories through
messages of optimism and action to support safe and affordable
housing."
In Canada, 1 in 8 households do
not meet the country's core housing standards of adequacy,
suitability or affordability. In India, the urban housing shortage stands at
18.78 million units, out of which about 96 percent is considered in
the Economically Weaker Section and Low Income Group
categories.
Since 2008, Lowe's has supported Habitat's Women Build program
in the U.S. and has helped build, renovate or repair 5,290 homes.
This year, recognizing the global need for affordable housing,
Lowe's is expanding its support to help build homes in Montreal, Canada; and Bangalore, India. U.S. events include:
Charlotte and Lake Norman, North Carolina; Washington, D.C.; Seattle; Nashville,
Tennessee; Los Angeles;
Philadelphia; Austin, Houston and Fort
Worth, Texas; Albuquerque, New
Mexico; Indianapolis;
Phoenix; Boston; and Orlando and Tampa,
Florida. Combined, volunteers will help build or repair 30
homes in three countries.
Lowe's partnership with Habitat began in 2003 and since then,
the company has committed more than $65
million to support the housing nonprofit.
To learn more, visit habitat.org/womenbuild or follow
#WomenBuild on social media to share and view stories from around
the world.
About Habitat for Humanity
Driven by the vision that
everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began
in 1976 as a grassroots effort on a community farm in southern
Georgia. The Christian housing
organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit
working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S. and
in more than 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a
hand up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a
place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own
homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through
financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support
affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the
strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better
lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more,
visit habitat.org.
About Lowe's
Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a
FORTUNEĀ® 50 home improvement company serving more than 18 million
customers a week in the United
States, Canada and
Mexico. With fiscal year 2018
sales of $71.3 billion, Lowe's and
its related businesses operate or service more than 2,200 home
improvement and hardware stores and employ approximately 300,000
associates. Founded in 1946 and based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe's supports its
hometown Charlotte region and all
communities it serves through programs focused on safe, affordable
housing and careers in the skilled trades. For more information,
visit Lowes.com.
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SOURCE Habitat for Humanity International