Salisbury, MD (July 24, 2019)—New grant funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will allow Habitat for Humanity of Wicomico County to invest more in their work to build, repair and revitalize neighborhoods in Wicomico and Somerset Counties.

 

Wicomico Habitat received $81,000 to be used to cover three years of salary and training for a new full-time Family Services Manager.

 

“This grant will allow us to increase our impact and outreach in the communities we serve. There is an enormous need for affordable housing and access to credit for low-income families. Further, our senior citizen homeowners face difficult choices when they are retired and on a fixed income. The Family Services Manager will match seniors with home repair programs, loans, deferred loans, and grants, as well as working with families who desire to become first-time homeowners.  Our work is vital to helping families achieve strength, stability, and independence through shelter,” said Molly Hilligoss, Executive Director of HFH of Wicomico County.

 

The grant is part of $6.2 million in funding that Habitat for Humanity International received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in 2019 as part of the Section 4 Capacity Building for Community Development and Affordable Housing Program. These funds allow Habitat to fund critical positions, expanding their capacity to serve communities.

 

Since 1998, Habitat for Humanity International has received over $102 million in Section 4 HUD grants, and benefitted over 600 Habitat locations nationwide.

As a Christian housing ministry, Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with God and people of all faiths to make ownership of decent, affordable homes a matter of conscience and action.

Habitat for Humanity of Wicomico County was founded in 1987; since then, the affiliate has built 67 homes locally.  Through volunteer labor and tax-deductible donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent homes with the help of the homeowner (partner) families. Habitat homes are sold to partner families at no profit, financed with affordable, no-interest loans. The homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments come back to the affiliate to help build more homes for more families.

For more information about Habitat for Humanity of Wicomico County, please call 410-546-1551 or go to www.wicomicohabitat.org.