Habitat receives THDA grant

CalsonicKansei employees work on the foundation of a Habitat for Humanity home at 106 McBride Lane in Shelbyville. (Submitted photo) [Order this photo]

Bedford Builds Habitat for Humanity received almost $17,000 from the state to go toward the building of a Habitat home this year.

The Tennessee Housing Development Agency awarded 20 affiliates with the grant funds.

"This is the first time we've received the THDA grant in Bedford County," said Pam Birtcil, director of Bedford Builds Habitat for Humanity. Birtcil said the $16,725 will go directly toward the completion of a local Habitat home.

Coupled with a Habitat sponsorship from CalsonicKansei, the grant will completely fund a Habitat home being built at 106 McBride Lane, Birtcil said.

In total, THDA awarded $350,000 to Habitat affiliates through its 20 Houses, 20 Dreams Initiative.

"We are extremely grateful for THDA's partnership with Habitat for Humanity affiliates to touch the lives of families struggling with low-incomes and additional special needs," said Colleen Dudley, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Tennessee, a statewide organization that supports the work of the 52 Habitat affiliates in Tennessee serving 61 counties, in a press release.

"Habitat affiliates are strong partners whenever THDA provides a housing program," said Ted R. Fellman, THDA executive director. "The Housing Trust Fund is targeted to households earning 50 percent or below of the area median income. Habitat identifies families who can become active members of a community and need extra help to become homeowners. We are pleased they applied for trust fund dollars."

All affiliates receiving grant funds will use the money to complete a home by the end of 2009, the release said.

Construction of Bedford County's McBride Lane home is already underway, as a result of work done by CalsonicKansei employees. The CalsonicKansei sponsorship is a combination of both employee contributions and construction of the home.

The Shelbyville and Lewisburg branches of CalsonicKansei announced their sponsorship in March.