Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake and the Baltimore Ravens All Community Team Foundation (RACTF) have joined together to build houses and further improve the community surrounding the M&T Bank Stadium area.
In a combined effort, the construction of three brand new rowhomes will take place in Baltimore's Washington Village neighborhood, affectionately known as "Pigtown," which is located on the west side of Russell Street near M&T Bank Stadium. Pigtown is an area in need of help, with approximately one-third of its residents living below the poverty line and with nearly one in eight homes abandoned or in need of significant repair.
Habitat has already rehabbed 20 homes near the project site, with the next phase involving the transformation of a vacant lot at 1200 Ward Street into 18 new rowhomes. The RACTF will fund three of these homes, which are scheduled to be completed by this Fall.
"This neighborhood, which surrounds the M&T Bank Stadium area, is important to both Habitat for Humanity and the Ravens," team president Dick Cass stated. "We are honored to be a part of this building project and hope that our involvement will lead to joint future endeavors. We are delighted to partner with Habitat for Humanity on this venture."
"Our Habitat Chesapeake board and staff are incredibly excited about partnering with the World Champion Baltimore Ravens," Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake CEO Mike Posko added. "Our focus and efforts for this project are to continue the revitalization of a neighborhood within the shadows of M&T Bank Stadium.
In addition to funding, the Ravens' staff, players and coaches, as well as key Ravens business partners, will take part in two separate on-site building days on Friday, May 17 and Thursday, June 6.
In order to be considered for Habitat for Humanity housing, applicants must go through a rigorous eligibility process and meet the following criteria: the ability to pay a monthly mortgage; a need for decent housing; and a willingness to partner in the form of "sweat equity," in which applicants become actively involved in the building process through volunteer hours.
Among the recipients of these new homes, deserving and qualified homeowners may include existing members of the Pigtown community, veterans and current members of the military and stadium workers from M&T Bank Stadium. |
About Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake:
As a local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake works in partnership with families in need of housing to build simple, decent and affordable homes.
Since 1982, this non-profit organization, with the help of citizens that volunteer, has completed more than 295 homes and has housed more than 900 family members, half of which are children.
Houses are sold to qualified homebuyers at no profit through no-interest mortgage loans and homebuyers must first meet the requirements of Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake's program.
Homebuyers work alongside thousands of volunteers to complete homes in several Baltimore City and county communities as well as communities in Anne Arundel County and Howard County and throughout the surrounding Chesapeake Bay area.
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Please visit **http://habitatchesapeake.org/* for more information.*
The Baltimore Ravens All Community Team Foundation (RACTF) is committed to improving, encouraging and enabling the healthy development of youth in the Baltimore area, as well as other parts of the state of Maryland. The foundation focuses on programs that help youth, and in some cases their families, with various needs, including housing, hunger, education, athletics and mentoring. Please visit **www.BaltimoreRavens.com/community* for more information.*
