Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna, the non-profit housing organization devoted
to building affordable homes and providing critical repairs in partnership with low-income
families and the community, teamed up with volunteers from Bank of America and Harford
Technical High School on Friday, September 30, to begin constructing a new home.
Students planned lessons and became the teachers during Bank of America’s third Global Build, a
weeklong event during which Bank of America and its employees partner with Habitat to address
affordable housing challenges and revitalize communities in the U.S. and around the world. The
project was selected as one of only 85 worldwide, and Habitat Susquehanna was awarded a
$50,000 grant for the build. Bank of America brought 19 volunteers to work on the foundation of
the home.
Janet Currie, Senior Vice President, Greater Maryland Market Manager, Enterprise Business &
Community Engagement for Bank of America, joined the volunteers. She reflected, “This is a
unique Habitat opportunity for Bank of America, because not only are we able to contribute
financially to the project, but we have volunteers that come to the high school. We are able to
interact with the students for whom this experience can also lead to careers in the future. So it’s
meaningful that we’re able to work with the students and ultimately that we’re building a home
for a family right here in the high school.”
The students have built homes at the school since 2006, and this eighth home will feature cuttingedge
green technology, as the five most recent “Habi-Tech” homes have. Over 650 students
across the trades programs offered at Harford Tech have worked on these homes, learning all
aspects of home design and construction. The home design is aimed at being “net-zero” for
energy use and cost.
Habitat’s executive director, Karen Blandford, notes, “A lack of decent, affordable housing
remains a critical challenge for many individuals and families. In Harford County, nearly half of
renters (48%) pay more than 30% of their income in rent and over 35% of mortgage holders have
unaffordable housing payments.”
“We appreciate our partnership with the local high schools, both Harford Tech and C. Milton
Wright. We are grateful for Bank of America’s commitment to our work, and we have fun
showing off this wonderful program!”
Harford Tech’s principal, Chas Hagan, agrees saying, “The opportunity to work on the Habitat
house is important to Harford Technical High School and our construction students. What I find
to be the most important part of this project is that the school, the community, the volunteers, the
families and corporations literally work hand in hand to produce something for a struggling
family; and the house they produce means that a struggling family will have their own home.
That is the connection that our students learn that cannot be learned anywhere else, and I hope
that they will carry with them and that they will replicate throughout the rest of their life.”
Bank of America has graciously sponsored all eight of the Harford Tech home builds, plus 11
more home build projects, and named Habitat Susquehanna one of its Neighborhood Builder
grantees in 2009. This year’s Build celebrates Bank of America’s 30 year commitment to Habitat
for Humanity and our work together to connect individuals and families to affordable housing.
Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna looks forward to continuing our partnerships in Harford and
Cecil counties to ensure that everyone has a decent place to call home.
About Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna
Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna, Inc. (HHS) is an ecumenical Christian housing organization
devoted to building, renovating and repairing homes in partnership with qualified families in
Cecil and Harford counties. Since its inception in 1993, HHS has served over 500 families by
building/rehabbing 98 homes and repairing over 360. To apply for a home or a home repair, or to
donate or volunteer, call 410-398-3399 (Cecil County) 410-638-4434 (Harford County) or visit
www.habitatsusq.org.
