Since its inception in 1986, the Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity (NAHFH) has helped 150 families build a home of their own. The Greater Nashville Association of Realtors (GNAR), sponsor and builder of the home, will present Dee Dee Brown, recipient of the 150th house, with the keys to her family's new home on Friday, May 3, 2002 at 2 p.m.

"People from all walks of life have donated time, talents, sweat and money to help provide 150 homes for their neighbors in need. This is a remarkable accomplishment and goes a long way toward accomplishing our goal of eliminating poverty housing and homelessness from the world," said Chris McCarthy, executive director for NAHFH. "We look forward the continued generosity of Middle Tennesseans who believe that decent shelter should be a matter of conscience and action."

"The dedication of this home is a significant milestone for the entire Nashville community to celebrate," said Don Klein, president of NAHFH and Executive Vice President of GNAR. "It represents nearly $6.5 million in donations and 2,400 workshifts, involving approximately 20 people per shift who volunteered over the last 16 years to build these 150 homes. It is also clear documentation that people in Nashville care about others and are willing to actively work together to make our community a better place for everyone to live."

Dee Dee Brown currently lives in a Section 8 apartment with leaking pipes and a ceiling that has not been repaired in months. Her 10-year-old twin daughters, Antwanar and Antwanae, cannot play outside because of the violence and gangs openly dealing drugs in the neighborhood.

"I want something better for my 'little women' as they grow up," Brown said. "Habitat for Humanity was my only hope for home ownership and now my girls will have a safe and secure place to live and play." Brown works at Vanderbilt Medical Center in the Department of Nutrition Services.

"It's truly an honor to help someone like Dee Dee build a home for her family," said GNAR President Whit Clark. "As Realtors, we help people realize the dream of home ownership on a daily basis, so this is the most important and meaningful project that GNAR undertakes each year." This is the sixth house built in as many years by GNAR.

The Greater Nashville Association of REALTORS* is one of Middle Tennessee's largest professional trade associations and serves as the primary voice for Nashville-area property owners. REALTOR* is a registered trademark that may be used only by real estate professionals who are members of the National Association of Realtors and subscribe to its strict code of ethics.

Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. Habitat has built more than 100,000 houses around the world, providing more than 500,000 people in more than 2,000 communities with safe, decent, affordable shelter.

Published: May 2, 2002

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