Lancaster, Pa. (September 12, 2007) — Lancaster Area Habitat for Humanity, along with partners the High^® companies and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, will hold a groundbreaking ceremony September 13 to mark the start of a $1.4- million project on South Queen and Seymour Streets. The project, consisting of the construction of eight townhomes, will help relieve a shortage of affordable housing in Lancaster County – a key priority as identified by The United Way of Lancaster County in its most recent (2005) Community Needs Report.

Participants
Representatives from Habitat, the City of Lancaster, High^®, and Thrivent, along with future homeowner Gracie Padilla, will attend the ceremony, which will begin at 10 a.m.

Townhome sponsors
The High companies and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans each are sponsoring two townhomes. These four homes are part of the first phase of construction.  Additional townhomes, one sponsored by American Home Bank, one by Coldwell Banker, one by Women Build, and one by area congregations and the faith community as the 2007 House Built on Faith, will be built during another phase of construction.

Habitat's and City's goals of affordable housing and neighborhood stability
"This infill revitalization project, replacing five condemned, burnt-out structures with new homes for eight families, exemplifies our goals of increasing home ownership and promoting neighborhood stability," says Stacie Reidenbaugh, executive director for Lancaster Area Habitat for Humanity. "To promote pride in home ownership and assure affordable housing for various income levels are important goals for the City of Lancaster, as set forth in its comprehensive plan, and we're gratified that this project will help meet those goals," Reidenbaugh adds.

Families
Eight low-income families have been selected to enroll in the homeownership program for these homes. Four families already are working toward completion of 100 hours of sweat equity.

Demolition and construction schedule
Blasting will begin Friday, with demolition of five condemned homes on the site expected to begin September 19. The existing homes were damaged by fire and have been vacant for several years. Habitat will subdivide the large existing lots and create eight new building lots. Construction of the first four homes is expected to begin in late October.

Directions to site
The ceremony will be held in the back yard of 702-704 South Queen Street, accessed from Seymour Street side.
     From Route 30:
         • Take the Fruitville Pike exit and go south towards Lancaster City.
         • Fruitville Pike will turn into Prince Street. Follow Prince Street to the south end of the city, crossing over King Street.
         • Make a left onto Seymour Street.
         • About halfway up the street, as you cross over Beaver Street, the lot to the right between Beaver Street and Queen Street is the site of the project.

About Lancaster Area Habitat for Humanity
Lancaster Area Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit Christian housing ministry that builds new homes and renovates or repairs older homes, then finances them at cost, with a 0 % interest mortgage to low-income families in need in Lancaster County. Each family contributes up to 500 hours of "sweat equity" – time spent building or repairing their home alongside volunteers.  Eligible families must demonstrate financial and housing need, willingness to work in partnership with Habitat, and capacity to repay the 0% loan over time.  Homes are built affordably and efficiently by community volunteers under supervision of trained staff. More information is available at www.lancasterhabitat.org.

About the High companies
The High^® companies, based at Greenfield Corporate Center, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, recently were named Corporate Citizen of the Year for 2006 by Central Penn Business Journal. Founded in 1931, this family-owned company serves its customers through the following businesses: industrial/commercial, multi-family, and retail development/ownership; brokerage, leasing, and asset and property management services; real estate investments; hotel ownership and management; architecture and construction; steel fabrication, erection, and distribution; precast concrete building systems; and air-quality and safety consulting. The High Companies operates 44 offices in 10 states. More information is available at www.high.net.

About Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a faith-based membership organization called to improve the quality of life of its members, their families, and their communities by providing unparalleled solutions that focus on financial security, wellness, and caring for others.

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