FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

For information contact:
Brian Morrison, Habitat for Humanity of Collier County
Tel: (239) 775-0036
Email: bmorrison@hfhcollier.com

Habitat for Humanity of Collier County Dedicates 42 Homes in Immokalee
Date: Thursday, December 20, 2007

Habitat for Humanity of Collier County along with its donors, volunteers and partner families will be dedicating 42 simple, decent homes at their Independence community in Immokalee on December 8, 2007. Festivities will begin promptly at 11:00 a.m. with entertainment from the Immokalee High School Marching Band.

 Nine of the homes being dedicated were funded by donations from three local congregations: Vanderbilt Presbyterian, St. William and St. John the Evangelist, Catholic Churches. Collectively these churches raised nearly $500,000 for Habitat for Humanity of Collier County.

 The 42 affordable homes are the final phase of the 157 Habitat homes at Independence, which is located at the corner of Lake Trafford Road and Little League Road in Immokalee. Independence is the fourth completed Habitat community in Collier County. The Fifth and Sixth communities are already underway with Trail Ridge in Naples that will house 204 families and Liberty Landing, adjacent to Independence in Immokalee, which will house150 families when complete.

 Habitat for Humanity of Collier County has helped 1,000 families move into safe, decent homes since 1978. Still, there is a desperate need for affordable homes for low-wage earning families.  Qualifying applicants are legal residents of the United States, living and working in Collier County for more than a year and have demonstrated a need for safe, affordable shelter, an ability to repay the interest free mortgage and a willingness to partner with Habitat through the contribution of 500 hours of sweat equity.

 Habitat for Humanity of Collier County is one of the oldest and largest producing Habitat affiliates in the nation. The local organization has built more than 100 homes a year for the past 6 years, making it Collier County’s leading provider of affordable, owner occupied homes. Habitat for Humanity of Collier County is located at 11145 Tamiami Trail East, Naples, FL 34113. www.HabitatCollier.org