Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West receives donation from People of Qatar for hurricane recovery
Funds to help build homes in partnership with families affected by hurricanes Katrina

[COVINGTON, La.] (Oct. 13, 2009) – Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West will receive a $265,832 donation from the People of Qatar to help build four homes in partnership with families who were affected by hurricane Katrina. The funding is part of a $3,263,565 donation from the People of Qatar to Habitat for Humanity International. A total of 44 homes will be built by 14 Habitat affiliates located along the Gulf Coast in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama using the funds.

In 2006, Habitat for Humanity International received a $22 million grant from the People of Qatar to help in the long-term recovery of the Gulf Coast region. The grant was used to help build nearly 300 houses, including 154 homes in Louisiana, 107 homes in Mississippi and 33 in Alabama.

“We are extremely grateful to the People of Qatar for this second generous gift to help with the recovery of the Gulf Coast region,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. “Tremendous efforts have been made over the last four years to help people rebuild their lives after the devastation of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, but, many low income families are still in need of housing. This gift will enable us to continue to build houses and hope.”

“This gift will help build homes for four qualified partner families were impacted by the Hurricane Katrina: Jay Carter, Florence Cotham, Nataki Bibbins and Adrienne Alphonse,” said Maureen Clary, President and CEO of Habitat STW. “After the storm adversely altered their lives, this gift now allows them to be hopeful for their futures with the purchase of their new homes.”

Habitat STW has built 112 homes following hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Since 2005, Habitat for Humanity has built, rehabilitated or repaired more than 2,000 homes along the Gulf Coast.

About Our Affiliate
Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West is an ecumenical Christian ministry dedicated to eliminating poverty housing by building simple, decent and affordable housing. Since it was founded in 1981 as the tenth Habitat affiliate in the US and the first in Louisiana, over 100 repairs, 17 major home renovations and 180 new construction projects have been completed and sold to partner families with no-profit, zero-interest mortgages. Contact Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West at 893-3172 or www.habitatstw.org to volunteer or to donate.

About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built more than 300,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1.5 million people. For more information, visit www.habitat.org.