TVA Sponsors Third Consecutive Habitat for Humanity House
January 14, 2005
TVA will celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and honor his commitment to service and racial and economic equality by building a third consecutive Knoxville Habitat for Humanity house for a Knoxville family in the city’s Empowerment Zone.
Representatives of TVA, Knoxville Habitat for Humanity, the Greater Knoxville Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Commission and The University of Tennessee, along with homeowner Calister Vernon, will participate in a groundbreaking for the house at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan.15, in honor of King’s birthday.
TVA is financing half the cost of the house and will provide in-kind services for the “Building on the Dream: A House as One” project.
"On behalf of the people at TVA, we’re pleased to again sponsor the construction of a new home for a deserving family in the Knoxville community," said TVA Director Bill Baxter, who will participate in the groundbreaking. "We believe this is one of the most appropriate and productive ways that we can truly honor the legacy of Dr. King.”
Over a four-month span, TVA employee volunteers will donate their personal time to help Vernon, a single mother of three, build the four-bedroom home. They will be joined by University of Tennessee football players and members of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission.
“We are honored to partner with TVA for the third time to build on Dr. King’s dream here in Knoxville,” said Knoxville Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Kelle Shultz. “The construction of this home not only will enrich the spirit of the Vernon family, but it also will enrich the spirit of the people who volunteer their time and labor to build it."
TVA will further help the family by having the home certified through the energy right® program, a partnership between TVA and its distributors that promotes energy efficiency in home building. By meeting the energy-efficiency specifications, the homeowner will save money on monthly power bills.
The groundbreaking will be held at the site of the new house at 2527 Louise Ave. Construction on the house is scheduled to begin March 5.
TVA has sponsored the construction of two Knoxville Habitat for Humanity houses since 2003. The houses, both constructed in four months, were built by homeowners and volunteers from TVA, The University of Tennessee and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission.
Founded in 1985 with a mission to reduce the number of Knox County people living in substandard housing, Knoxville Habitat for Humanity has partnered with the community to build more than 265 simple, decent and affordable homes. On average, 25 homes are built each year.
Homeowners partner with Knoxville Habitat for Humanity by committing to contribute 500 hours of sweat equity toward their house, as well as attending one year of budget classes and participating in home maintenance and construction programs. Homeowners agree to pay a 20-year, no interest mortgage, and their monthly payments go into a revolving fund used for construction of new homes.
TVA is the nation’s largest public power provider and is completely self-financed. TVA provides power to large industries and 158 power distributors that serve approximately 8.5 million consumers in seven southeastern states.
Media Contact:
Heather Fitz
Knoxville Habitat for Humanity, (865) 523-3539
www.knoxvillehabitatforhumanity.com
Michelle Sherrard
TVA News Bureau, Knoxville, (865) 632-6000
