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Bank of America awarding $32,500 in grant funding to support homeownership programs of local Habitat chapters

September 29 2021 – Bank of America today announced a partnership with Indian River Habitat for Humanity, Habitat for Humanity of Martin County, and St. Lucie Habitat for Humanity to expand the reach of each organization’s affordable housing programs serving Treasure Coast residents.

The $32,500 invested by the bank will support each organization’s initiatives targeting different stages of the homeownership journey. Indian River Habitat for Humanity will use the grant to help replace or repair the roofs of least 12 Indian River County families as part of the organization’s Neighborhood Revitalization Program.

From left to right: Patsy Collins, Gary Grimsley, John P. Chandler, Paulette Coakley, Sa’Rae Stockton, St. Lucie Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Bob Calhoun, Antwan Jones, Tameshia Martin

Habitat for Humanity of Martin County’s grant will help fund the organization’s latest affordable housing neighborhood in Hobe Sound. Construction for the 18-home Pettway project is expected to begin in 2022 and will also be completed in partnership with the Martin County Community Redevelopment Agency and the Board of County Commissioners.

St. Lucie Habitat for Humanity is utilizing Bank of America’s funding to support construction and repairs costs for St. Lucie County homeowners who earn 80% or less of the area’s median income. By July 2022, St. Lucie Habitat plans to build nine new homes utilizing a land trust model, and perform 20 critical repairs.

For years, Bank of America has teamed up with Habitat for Humanity and its local Treasure Coast chapters as part of their shared mission to help members of the community achieve the dream of homeownership. With volunteer opportunities limited due to the current health crisis, charitable grants and fundraising efforts are critical for Habitat and other local non-profits to address issues such as affordable housing that are fundamental to economic mobility.

“We believe in empowering people to achieve the dream of homeownership because when more members of the community realize their financial goals, our neighborhoods are transformed and we grow as a region,” said Doug Sherman, President, Bank of America Treasure Coast. “Our partnership with Habitat for Humanity will increase access to affordable housing in areas of the Treasure Coast and create meaningful solutions for the long-term economic gaps many residents are facing.”

In addition to receiving a new home, Habitat for Humanity partner families attend classes that prepare them for homeownership and teach them valuable skills that help stabilize the neighborhoods in which they live. After classes are completed, Habitat continues to support those families with ongoing counseling.

To learn more and support these organizations and their efforts, visit https://www.irchabitat.org, https://www.habitatmartin.org and https://stluciehabitat.org.  

About Bank of America:

At Bank of America, we’re guided by a common purpose to help make financial lives better, through the power of every connection. We’re delivering on this through responsible growth with a focus on our environmental, social and governance (ESG) leadership. ESG is embedded across our eight lines of business and reflects how we help fuel the global economy, build trust and credibility, and represent a company that people want to work for, invest in and do business with. It’s demonstrated in the inclusive and supportive workplace we create for our employees, the responsible products and services we offer our clients, and the impact we make around the world in helping local economies thrive. An important part of this work is forming strong partnerships with nonprofits and advocacy groups, such as community, consumer and environmental organizations, to bring together our collective networks and expertise to achieve greater impact. Learn more at about.bankofamerica.com, and connect with us on Twitter (@BofA_News).

About St. Lucie Habitat for Humanity

Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, St. Lucie Habitat for Humanity began in 1996 as an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International; a Christian housing organization and leading global nonprofit working in more than 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with St. Lucie Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. To date, St. Lucie Habitat has built or rehabbed 82 homes and repaired 134 homes in St. Lucie County. 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 StLucieHabitat.org.