NORTHEAST HOUSTON Merrill Lynch (NYSE: MER) employees are partnering with Habitat for Humanity to build a home from the ground up over a five-week period in Northeast Houston, giving a working Houston family the opportunity to finally call a home their own after being forced to relocate after the Gulf Coast storm disasters. This is the first year that Greater Houston Merrill Lynch is working with Habitat for Humanity. The Greater Houston offices raised more than $26,000 through donations for the home, and Merrill Lynch Corporate matched that amount for a total donation of $52,000 to Houston Habitat for Humanity.
Before the Gulf Storms of 2005, one in 10 Houston working families was in need of affordable housing. Now those numbers have compounded because more than 30,000 people were forced into Houston from Louisiana. The home being built by Greater Houston Merrill Lynch will help Houston Habitat for Humanity to exceed their milestone goal to build 1,000 homes by the end of 2007, as part of Operation Home Delivery – a collaboration of Habitat for Humanity International launched in response to the recovery efforts near the Gulf Coast.
Greater Houston Merrill Lynch is excited and proud to partner with Habitat for Humanity to better the life of a working Houston family that was affected by the Gulf Coast storms, said Janet Caylor, Greater Houston Regional Managing Director of Merrill Lynchs Global Private Client Group. As a global company built on local relationships, Merrill Lynch believes the principle of responsible, caring citizenship is essential to the prosperity and vitality of Greater Houston.
Merrill Lynch Houston employees have contributed to Habitat for Humanity the past several months through office fundraisers, and will be dedicating their time and efforts to build the new Habitat for Humanity home at 11727 Greenmesa in the Greensbrook Subdivison, which is located in an unincorporated area of Harris County.
ABOUT HOUSTON HABITAT FOR HUMANITY:
Houston Habitat for Humanity is a not-for-profit organization that provides new homes for hard-working, low-income Houstonians who otherwise would not be able to afford a mortgage. The organization provides zero-interest loans to first-time homebuyers who partner with volunteers and sponsors to build their own homes in neighborhoods throughout Houston and Harris County. In addition, Houston Habitat operates a Habitat for Humanity ReStore six days a week at 6161 South Loop East at South Wayside Drive where homeowners, remodelers and contractors can find high-quality building materials and fixtures and furniture at deeply discounted prices. All proceeds from purchases at the store benefit Houston Habitat for Humanity.
For more information about Houston Habitat for Humanity, its affordable housing sponsorship and its volunteer opportunities, visit www.houston habitat.org or call (713) 671-9993.