Ferguson and Habitat for Humanity Partner on 100th Family Home!
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Habitat for Humanity and Ferguson announce their partnership on the groundbreaking for the 100th family home on August 16, 2007 at 10 a.m. at 120 Carriage Road in the Ironbound Square Redevelopment area of James City County. The public and media are invited to attend, along with public officials and the founders of the Peninsula Habitat affiliate, established 22 years ago. The excited homebuyer-to-be is Franetta Johnson, a longtime James City County resident.
“This is another wonderful opportunity for Ferguson to join Habitat in helping deserving families throughout the United States,” said Ferguson President and CEO, John Stegeman. “The hundreds of Ferguson associates volunteering their time to support this important milestone for Habitat and the associated families shows our commitment to better the communities where we do business.”
“It is a true pleasure to continue expanding the partnership of Habitat for Humanity and a world-wide company headquartered in Newport News,” said Lucille C. Lowery, president of the Habitat for Humanity affiliate. “Both organizations are genuinely committed to providing opportunities for decent housing.”
Ferguson will not only finance this 100th home, but will also supply many of the products used in the home. Ferguson and Habitat for Humanity International recently announced a national partnership, agreeing to donate two toilets to every Habitat home built nationwide. Ferguson also built a home with Habitat Peninsula in 2003, partnered with Habitat International during the 2006 Home Builders Blitz and donates hundreds of thousands of dollars of materials to Habitat ReStores across the United States.
Franetta Johnson, a self employed cosmetologist will buy the home from Habitat upon completion, estimated to be next spring. “I am so thankful to Ferguson and Habitat for making my dreams come true,” said Johnson. “This safe and affordable home will be the best place to raise my kids.” Johnson has 2 children: one daughter, 16, who is a sophomore at Jamestown High School where she is on the track team and a son, 14, in 7th grade at James Blair Middle School. He plays Little League Football.
The land for this home was donated by James City County. “We are pleased to partner with Ferguson and Habitat to build another home in the Ironbound Square Redevelopment area,” says Richard C. Hanson, Director of Office of Housing and Community Development. “Their good work helps our efforts to continue to improve this vibrant community.”
The local Habitat affiliate, created in 1985, has built 96 homes and serves the communities of Hampton, James City County, Newport News, Williamsburg and York County, Va. Three additional homes are underway and expected to be finished within the next six months. Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit homebuilding organization which helps families in need build and purchase safe, decent, affordable homes. Homes are made possible by sponsorship and volunteer labor, including 400 hours of “sweat equity” the homeowner must provide. Habitat homeowners must have incomes between 30-50 percent of the area median income, excellent credit and the ability to pay for their new Habitat home. The home is sold at no profit with a no-interest 30 year mortgage carried by Habitat. Monthly mortgage payments are then recycled to build more homes.
Habitat ReStores are building material warehouses – similar to thrift stores – for new and gently-used building materials. The local ReStore is located at 9614 Warwick Boulevard in the Hilton Shopping Center of Newport News and is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Wednesday until 6 p.m. All items in the ReStore are donated by individuals and businesses (such as Ferguson) and are sold between 50-90 percent off retail value. All profits from the ReStore are used to build more affordable housing on the Virginia Peninsula.
Ferguson is ranked in the United States by trade publications as the largest distributor of plumbing supplies and pipes, valves, and fittings and the third largest distributor of heating and cooling equipment. Founded in 1953 and headquartered in Newport News, Va., Ferguson is the country's largest wholesale distributor of plumbing supplies. Ferguson has sales of $9.65 billion and 23,000 associates in almost 1,400 service centers located in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Mexico and the Caribbean. Ferguson was acquired by UK based Wolseley PLC in 1982. Wolseley is the leading supplier of construction products, materials and services across Europe and North America. Wolseley is world's number one distributor of heating and plumbing products to the professional market, and a leading supplier of building materials and services. Wolseley has sales of over 25 billion and 78,000 employees serving customers through over 5,000 branches in 28 countries.
For additional information about Habitat for Humanity, contact Executive Director Janet V. Green at
(757) 596-5553x3 or email at Janet@HelpHabitatForHumanity.org. For additional information about Ferguson, contact Lisa Mask at (757) 757-969-4175 or email at Lisa.mask@wolseley.com.
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Directions to 120 Carriage Road in James City County: From I-64, take Exit #242 toward 199 / Bypass Road. Continue on Route 199 until Monticello Avenue (Route 321). Take a right onto Monticello Road. As you see the large Courthouse on your right, take a left onto Ironbound Road. Carriage Road is your second right; follow around the road to 120 Carriage Road. If you get lost on groundbreaking day, contact Executive Director Janet V. Green on her cell phone at 757-377-3534.
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