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NEWS

We all mourn the death of Kenneth Arthur, Jr., a proud father, loving husband, engaged community member and HHSF’s first homeowner. Learn more about his incredible life.

Did you know that HHSF tithes 10% of our unrestricted funds to Habitat for Humanity in Honduras? Learn more at Projects.

Watch a feature about HHSF on CBS’s "Eye on the Bay" at 7:00 pm on Thursday, May 15.

View the HHSF 2007 Annual Report.

Thanks to our Corporate Sponsors:


Home Sponsors The Grousbeck Family Foundation Bank of America Major League Baseball Rebuilds
Framing Sponsors Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage of Northern California

Click here to see all of our sponsors.

About Us > Press Releases

Press Releases

Oct. 5, 2004: First American Teams with Bay Area Habitat for Humanity affiliates.
June 20, 2003: Realtors Raise Wall on San Francisco Habitat House
June 17, 2003: Wells Fargo Partners with Habitat SF to Create Affordable Homeownership Opportunities in San Francisco
February 27, 2003: BART Lot Purchase Approved

For further information, please contact Denise Burpee , (415) 869-1500 ext. 111.

FIRST AMERICAN TEAMS WITH BAY AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY AFFILIATES
SAN MATEO, Calif., Oct. 5, 2004

$100,000 Donation Will Help Fund Several Area Home Builds

The First American Corporation (NYSE: FAF), the nation’s largest data provider, and San Francisco Bay Area Habitat for Humanity affiliates, represented by Peninsula Habitat for Humanity, today announced a new partnership under which First American will donate $100,000 to support the construction of new Habitat houses. The donation, which was presented today at a meeting of the San Mateo County Association of REALTORS®, is part of a corporate giving program First American has implemented in connection with its Emerging Markets Initiative, a comprehensive effort to increase homeownership opportunities for minority and low- to moderate-income families.

Working with San Mateo County-based Peninsula Habitat and four other Northern California Habitat affiliates—East Bay, Mt. Diablo, Silicon Valley and San Francisco—First American will participate in the construction of affordable housing in Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose, Daly City and Oakley, Calif. First American’s effort is part of an extensive MAKE it REAL campaign by Peninsula Habitat to build 22 new homes that will help hard-working families with low-incomes achieve the dream of homeownership.

“First-time homeownership enables working parents to break the cycle of poverty and focus on brighter educational and career opportunities for themselves and their children,” said June LaBarre, corporate gifts/grants officer for Peninsula Habitat for Humanity. “Building houses builds families and communities at the same time. We are proud to welcome First American as our newest corporate partner.”

First American’s commitment to Habitat for Humanity is part of a comprehensive initiative announced in October 2003 to expand homeownership opportunities for low- to moderate-income families and stimulate home buying in traditionally under-served Latino, African-American and Asian/Pacific Islander communities. The initiative combines targeted philanthropic giving with bundled and discounted settlement services, alternative credit-screening products and for-profit community investment—all aimed at increasing homeownership among low- to moderate-income and minority families. The five-year, multimillion dollar program, which is endorsed by The Greenlining Institute, a multi-ethnic coalition that promotes homeownership and inner-city economic development, was received positively at its introduction by representatives from Fannie Mae, the National Association of Real Estate Brokers, the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals and the Asian Real Estate Association of America.

“Strategic partnerships are the key to influencing real change in the communities we serve,” said Landon V. Taylor, vice president of market development for The First American Corporation. “We are honored to partner with Bay Area Habitat for Humanity affiliates and help make the stability and financial independence provided by homeownership available to deserving families.”

The First American Corporation is a Fortune 500 company that traces its history to 1889. As the nation’s largest data provider, the company supplies businesses and consumers with information resources in connection with the major economic events of people’s lives, such as getting a job; renting an apartment; buying a car, house, boat or airplane; securing a mortgage; opening or buying a business; and planning for retirement. The First American Family of Companies, many of which command leading market share positions in their respective industries, operate within six primary business segments, including: Title Insurance and Services, Specialty Insurance, Mortgage Information, Property Information, Credit Information and Screening Information. With revenues of $6.21 billion in 2003, First American has 29,000 employees in approximately 1,800 offices throughout the United States and abroad. More information about the company and an archive of its press releases can be found at www.firstam.com.

Peninsula Habitat for Humanity (www.peninsulahabitat.org) is one of more than two thousand affiliates of Habitat for Humanity International, a Christian organization. Peninsula Habitat unites with families and volunteers to build quality, affordable, ownership housing, to end poverty housing and to build community. Irrespective of faith or ethnicity, all donors, family partners, Habitat staff and board members are invited and welcome to actively participate in the work of building lives and community through building houses.

Realtors Raise Wall on San Francisco Habitat House
WASHINGTON, DC, June 20, 2003

Members of the National Association of Realtors leadership team will raise the wall on a Habitat for Humanity house in the Bayview-Hunters Point area of San Francisco on June 21, as the association furthers its commitment to affordable housing.

Realtors are committed to build a Habitat for Humanity home each year in the city hosting NAR's annual convention. This year, the REALTORS Conference & Expo will be at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, November 7-10. NAR will sponsor the home and raise funds through a portion of the conference registration fees. Members of the California Association of Realtors and the San Francisco Association of Realtors will build the home, along with the intended homeowner family, during the summer months. In the past two years, NAR has built Habitat homes in Chicago and New Orleans.

Construction of the site at 621 Keith Street is expected to be finished by the start of NAR's meeting in November, and dedication is set for November 5. More than 23,000 Realtors from across the United States are expected to attend the annual meeting. San Francisco Supervisor Gavin Newsom is expected to attend the ceremony. "NAR is committed to increasing homeownership opportunities and to making the American Dream of homeownership a reality for all Americans. We are proud to be lending a helping hand and making a difference in San Francisco," said Cathy Whatley, NAR president.

NAR is committed to building a Habitat for Humanity home abroad every year. This year, Warsaw, Poland, has been selected for a six-unit complex, and NAR will contribute funds as a partial sponsor to support the construction of these units. NAR has also sponsored builds in Brazil and Mexico.

NAR is also one of the national underwriters for Habitat for Humanity International's Congress Building America program, a partnership between HHI, Congress and national corporate and nonprofit sponsors. The goal of the program is to strengthen neighborhoods and communities by bringing members of Congress and government and private enterprises together with Habitat partner families, volunteers and local sponsors to build simple, decent and affordable homes.

In addition to Whatley, other NAR officers attending the San Francisco event will be Walt McDonald, president-elect; Al Mansell, first vice president; and Pat Kaplan, treasurer. Expected to attend from CAR are Toby Bradley, president; Ann Pettijohn, president-elect; and Jim Hamilton, treasurer. SFAR officers to attend are Tim Cannon, president; Dona Crowder, president-elect; and John Wong, treasurer. Attending from Habitat for Humanity San Francisco will be Charles Moore, president of both HHSF and McGuire Real Estate; Mara Feeney, former HHSF president and principal of Mara Feeney & Associates; Bill Lorton, executive director, and Ed Kim, director of volunteer services. Attending from Habitat for Humanity International's Washington office will be Tom Jones, managing director and vice president, and Mindy Goforth, director of partnerships.

"The partnership between Habitat for Humanity International and the National Association of Realtorsâ is extremely important as it unites the two organizations, causing thousands of Realtorsâ to become involved with Habitat not only at the national level but also at the local level in their own communities as volunteers with one of Habitat's more than 1,670 affiliates nationwide. This collaboration results in many more low-income families accessing the opportunity to participate in the American dream of homeownership, which is so urgently needed in communities across the nation - from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.," Jones said. Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry dedicated to eliminating poverty housing. Founded by Millard Fuller, along with his wife, Linda, Habitat for Humanity International and its affiliates in more than 3,000 communities in 83 nations have built and sold more than 125,000 homes to partner families with no-profit, zero-interest mortgages.

About The National Association of Realtors

The National Association of Realtors, "The Voice for Real Estate," is America's largest trade association, representing more than 900,000 members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries. The California Association of Realtors represents more than 108,000 Realtors. The San Francisco Association of Realtors represents more than 3,300 members.

For Further Information Contact:
Steve Cook, 202/383-1013
Lucien Salvant, 202/383-1176

Wells Fargo Partners with Habitat SF to Create Affordable Homeownership Opportunities in San Francisco
San Francisco, June 17, 2003

In an effort to create more affordable housing in San Francisco, Habitat for Humanity San Francisco (Habitat SF) is building a five-story condominium at 1009 Mission Street that will be the tallest Habitat for Humanity building in the world. A recent contribution of $50,000 from Wells Fargo is helping to finance construction of the project, which will make homeownership a reality for 8 low-income families partnering with Habitat SF, including 15 adults and 21 children.

In conjunction with the financial contribution, Wells Fargo will be providing dozens of corporate volunteers on the project. A series of Wells Fargo Team Builds will kick off at 10am today, with senior executives working alongside Wells Fargo volunteers and the future homeowners of the project.

Wells Fargo’s contribution is another example of the company’s strong commitment to building affordable housing. "We are extremely grateful for Wells Fargo’s generosity, particularly in today’s challenging economic climate," said Bill Lorton, Interim Executive Director of Habitat SF. "Wells Fargo is a tremendous partner for Habitat, not only here in San Francisco, but throughout the country. In fact, Wells Fargo contributed over $1.7 million to Habitat affiliates all across the United States and is the largest provider of corporate sponsorship and volunteers to Habitat for Humanity." The Mission Street project is part of the South of Market revitalization project spearheaded by the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency in partnership with Habitat SF. The architectural firm of Marcy Li Wong designed the high-density, multi-story, infill structure. There will be one 2-bedroom home and seven 3-bedroom homes each ranging from 660 to 1050 square feet with garages constructed on the ground floor.

Companies such as Wells Fargo that partner with Habitat San Francisco are making a social investment in the community by helping empower families and local neighborhoods in the effort to make San Francisco a better place to live and work for all its citizens. The Mission Street homeowners represent a cross-section of working families who are unable to afford decent housing in San Francisco.

About Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified financial services company with $370 billion in assets, providing banking, insurance, investments, mortgage and consumer finance from more than 5,700 stores and the internet (wellsfargo.com) across North America and elsewhere internationally.

BART Lot Purchase Approved
OAKLAND, CA, Feb 27, 2003 (BUSINESS WIRE)

Habitat for Humanity San Francisco (HHSF) was today given the go ahead by the BART Board of Directors to purchase excess properties from the transit district for the purpose of building low income housing.

The properties involve three parcels comprising about 26,000 square feet. They are located on Delong Street a few blocks north of the Daly City BART Station. Originally purchased in the mid 1960's as part of the system's right-of-way acquisition, the remnant parcels became surplus after construction was completed.

According to BART Director Tom Radulovich of San Francisco, a prime supporter of utilizing excess property for low income housing and other community benefits, said Habitat for Humanity plans to build 12 low cost single family homes on the property.

"I'm personally very pleased to see such properties, which have no direct practical use by BART, used for a worthy social purpose as proposed by Habitat. Also, it puts such properties back on the tax rolls. So there is a double benefit to society from that standpoint," Radulovich said.

BART's newest member of the transit system's board of directors, Lynette Sweet, also of San Francisco, said she was also very supportive of the sale because of the dire need for low income housing in San Francisco.

"The sale of the property to Habitat for Humanity, approved by the board today, is also consistent with BART's policy to encourage transit oriented development, something I'm very interested in," Sweet said.

HHSF, a non-profit organization headquartered in San Francisco, will purchase the property at fair market value for the sum of $160,200. Construction is expected to begin in 2004.