Habitat, NCAA to Build Homes at Men's Final Four

By Ethan Cole, Christian Post Reporter Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Habitat for Humanity International, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, Atlanta Habitat for Humanity and corporate partner Lowe's will team up to build two homes for needy families in Atlanta, in conjunction with the Men's NCAA Final Four basketball tournament.

The homes will be part of the NCAA's "Home Team" project which is a response to the destruction caused by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The three-year, $2.5 million NCAA partnership with Habitat for Humanity has helped nearly 20 families move into a decent, affordable house built by more than 800 student-athlete volunteers in conjunction with NCAA championship events.

"The need to rebuild in the Gulf remains great, and Habitat for Humanity cannot do it alone," said Jonathan Reckford, chief executive officer of Habitat for Humanity International, in a statement released on Monday.

"Thanks to partners like the NCAA we've been able to build simple, decent housing in partnership with low-income families that would not normally qualify for conventional lending programs," said Reckford.

Volunteers from the NCAA, Atlanta-area colleges, and Atlanta Habitat for Humanity will frame two homes inside Centennial Olympic Park – this year's location for "The Big Dance" of college basketball. The homes will then be relocated into the Atlanta community.

"Rebuilding the Gulf Coast will take the talents, energy, resources and expertise of so many partners working together," noted Reckford. "The more we can direct our individual strengths toward a common recovery goal, the greater the impact we can leave collaboratively in the Gulf."

Each year college basketball teams in the United States compete for the national championship through a single elimination round tournament. The "Final Four" – one of the nation's most prominent sporting events – pits the victors of the championship tournament's four regional brackets for a shot at the championship.

Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that helps build affordable housing for poor families around the world. Since its founding in Americus, Ga., in 1976, Habitat has built more than 200,000 houses in nearly 100 countries, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1 million people.