TAMPA, Fla., November 5, 2019 – For the second consecutive year, Bank of America is affirming its support for Habitat for Humanity of Hillsborough County’s Veterans Initiative program with a $25,000 grant that will assist the nonprofit in serving local veterans with affordable homeownership, home repairs and volunteer opportunities. As Habitat’s Veterans Initiative program partner, Bank of America will officially open the construction site for Habitat Hillsborough’s annual Veterans Build home on November 11, 2019, Veterans Day. Bill Goede, Tampa Bay Market President for Bank of America, will present the check to Habitat Hillsborough CEO Tina Swain and the two will welcome a team of Bank of America employee volunteers who will raise the roof trusses on the future home of U.S. Air Force veteran Vincent Smith.
During all phases of the eight-week home construction for Smith, several veterans’ groups, active duty servicemen and women from MacDill Air Force Base, and Bank of America employees will volunteer more than 1,000 hours to help build the two-bedroom home located near the University of Tampa. Other participating sponsors of the Veterans Build home include: The Home Depot, Aleman Construction Services, American Roofing and Sheet Metal, Johnson & Johnson Technology, T-Mobile, Tri-County Metals, and Whiting Turner.
“A safe and affordable home is fundamental for individuals and families to achieve economic mobility,” said Bill Goede, Tampa Bay Market President for Bank of America. “We appreciate active and retired military employees’ service to our country, and we are so happy to partner with Habitat Hillsborough, and engage our employee volunteers, to help provide Vincent a comfortable place to call home.”
Smith, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, holds a security position with the Neiman Marcus Group. He will contribute 300 sweat equity hours on Habitat build sites in lieu of a down payment and attend 10 homeowner preparation classes as required by his agreement with Habitat Hillsborough before obtaining his zero-interest mortgage. Once completed, Smith will live in the home with his younger brother who has a rare form of cancer. The Habitat home will be built with handicap accessibility to accommodate a wheelchair and other special needs.
Completion of the Veterans Build home is projected for late December. The date for the home dedication and key presentation will be announced in mid-December.
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About Habitat Hillsborough’s Veterans Initiative
Habitat Hillsborough supports local veterans through homeownership and home repair programs. We also connect military veterans more deeply with their community through volunteer service opportunities. Through volunteer groups from The Mission Continues and Team Red, White and Blue who assist us on our build sites, Habitat Hillsborough has also become increasingly aware of the need for veterans to reintegrate back into their communities after military service. By establishing our Veterans Initiative, we hope to assist and empower local veterans with homeownership solutions and opportunities to partner with Habitat on service projects that help make a transformational impact for families in our community.
About Habitat for Humanity of Hillsborough County
With a 4-star Charity Navigator rating, Habitat for Humanity of Hillsborough County builds and renovates homes in partnership with individuals and families in need of decent, affordable housing. Habitat for Humanity of Hillsborough County is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a global housing ministry that seeks to put God’s love into action, bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope. Since 1987, Habitat for Humanity of Hillsborough County has partnered with homeowners and the community to build or renovate more than 250 homes. Families and individuals qualify for the Habitat for Humanity homeownership program based on need, willingness to partner in the program through sweat equity hours and completion of homeowner classes, and the ability to pay an affordable, zero-interest mortgage. For more details on Habitat for Humanity of Hillsborough County, visit HabitatHillsborough.org or call 813-239-2242.
About Bank of America
At Bank of America, we’re guided by a common purpose to help make financial lives better, through the power of every connection. We’re delivering on this through responsible growth with a focus on our environmental, social and governance (ESG) leadership. ESG is embedded across our eight lines of business and reflects how we help fuel the global economy, build trust and credibility, and represent a company that people want to work for, invest in and do business with. It’s demonstrated in the inclusive and supportive workplace we create for our employees, the responsible products and services we offer our clients, and the impact we make around the world in helping local economies thrive. An important part of this work is forming strong partnerships with nonprofits and advocacy groups, such as community, consumer and environmental organizations, to bring together our collective networks and expertise to achieve greater impact. Learn more at about.bankofamerica.com, and connect with us on Twitter at @BofA_News.