COLUMBUS, OH and ATLANTA, GA—(Marketwired – April 22, 2016) – In recognition of its 150 years of community engagement, Huntington Bank announced today it will donate $250,000 to Habitat for Humanity International and $150,000 to Habitat for Humanity–MidOhio to support neighborhood revitalization efforts.
The donation and associated volunteer support will help improve homes with 150 Habitat families in Huntington's Midwest geography, while championing Habitat for Humanity–MidOhio's goal of increasing impact within shared local communities.
“When considering a partner organization aligned with our history of community engagement in celebration of our 150th year, we knew that Habitat for Humanity would be a natural fit to invest in the neighborhoods that have been home to generations of our customers and colleagues,” said Steve Steinour, Huntington's chairman, president and CEO. “Neighborhood revitalization is inherent in what we both do as advocates and supporters for quality housing. We applaud Habitat for Humanity's blended focus on rehabs and repairs along with new construction in facing the reality of community housing needs. Synergy with the mayor's focus on Columbus neighborhoods will create even greater impact here in Central Ohio.”
Huntington announced the $400,000 commitment alongside Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther within the city's Linden neighborhood. Linden and the South Side are Habitat for Humanity–MidOhio's primary locations for Columbus neighborhood revitalization efforts, as well as core focus areas for Mayor Ginther's administration. Huntington also has additive plans for future in–kind support locally, including financial literacy education and other employee volunteer programs.
“The joining together of civic, nonprofit and private sector support continues to make a difference in the strength and vitality of the diverse neighborhoods that make up our city,” Columbus Mayor Ginther said. “Habitat for Humanity and Huntington are valued community partners and we are honored to kick off Huntington's announcement of support for home improvement projects here in Columbus and elsewhere in the Midwest.”
As part of its commitment to Habitat for Humanity International, Huntington colleagues will partner with Habitat for Humanity organizations throughout the company's communities to support local home improvement projects.
“We are very pleased to be able to partner with Huntington on the occasion of their 150th anniversary. Huntington's stepping up to champion Habitat for Humanity's efforts to build strength, stability and self–reliance among our neighborhoods and families helps set the tone for the good work we intend to accomplish in Central Ohio,” said E.J. Thomas, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity–MidOhio. “Working in conjunction with Mayor Ginther's administration, we look forward to demonstrating the increased benefit we can bring about through strategic and transformative focus on key communities by leveraging private sector collaboration.”Â
“We are grateful to partner with Huntington Bank in our efforts to transform, revitalize and strengthen communities,” said Sue Henderson, vice president, U.S. Operations, Habitat for Humanity International. “Huntington's support and generosity will greatly improve the housing conditions for these families.”
“Habitat for Humanity–MidOhio has a proven track record of making a positive difference in the betterment of the Central Ohio region,” said Jim Kunk, Huntington's regional president. “We know our support will make a meaningful contribution toward ramping up neighborhood revitalization efforts in our headquarters city and the surrounding area.”
About Huntington
Huntington Bancshares Incorporated is a $73 billion asset regional bank holding company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, with a network of more than 750 branches and more than 1,500 ATMs across six Midwestern states. Founded in 1866, The Huntington National Bank and its affiliates provide consumer, small business, commercial, treasury management, wealth management, brokerage, trust, and insurance services. Huntington also provides auto dealer, equipment finance, national settlement and capital market services that extend beyond its core states. Visit huntington.com for more information.
About Habitat for Humanity International
Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity has grown from a grassroots effort that began on a community farm in southern Georgia in 1976 to a global nonprofit housing organization in nearly 1,400 communities across the U.S. and in over 70 countries. People partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self–reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitat.org.
About Habitat for Humanity–MidOhio
Affordable, decent housing is one of our most basic human needs, yet it is in alarmingly short supply in our very own neighborhoods and throughout the world. A decent place to call home creates stability, launching families onto a positive trajectory of generational change that includes hope, improved health, and a better quality of life.
Habitat for Humanity–MidOhio has spent more than a quarter century bringing the dream of homeownership to families in need. Working in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity International, Habitat MidOhio's partners, donors, and volunteers have played a significant role in rekindling hope for more than 350 families living in central Ohio through new home construction and home repairs.
Habitat MidOhio is one of the only housing agencies in the community targeting families who earn 30–60% of median income. Habitat MidOhio partner families are chosen after a careful review process during which Habitat assesses their need for housing; their ability to repay a zero–interest, no–profit mortgage and their willingness to partner with Habitat through sweat equity. All partner families are first–time homebuyers who earn 30–60% of the median income for the county and currently live in substandard housing. Every partner family must perform a minimum of 200–250 hours of sweat equity, which includes working on their own house and those of other Habitat families, attending homeownership classes and providing Habitat program support. Every family also assumes a no–interest, no–profit mortgage with payments based on family income. Because HFH–MidOhio holds and services these mortgages, Habitat has a long–term relationship with the homeowners and the communities in which they live.
For more information, please visit www.HabitatMidOhio.org.