RISMEDIA, Dec. 8, 2008-In 2000, when EXIT Realty Corp. International decided to support Habitat for Humanity’s mission to build houses with families in need and help eradicate homelessness from the world, they never imagined that they would be touching the lives of so many in such a profound and lasting way.In November, Habitat for Humanity organizations throughout the world celebrated as the organization marked a major milestone when construction began on Habitat’s 300,000th house in Naples, Florida and 300,001st house in Zacapa, Guatemala. EXIT Realty is extremely proud and humbled to have been a part of Habitat’s journey that has helped more than 1.5 million people.
A portion of every transaction fee collected by EXIT International is applied to its charitable fund and to-date, $1.5 Million has been pledged to Habitat for Humanity in both Canada and the U.S. EXIT’s 9th and 10th corporately sponsored builds are currently underway in Fredericton, New Brunswick and Las Cruces, New Mexico.
“I wanted to select a charity that was close to real estate and where we could see it helping people,” said EXIT Realty Founder & CEO, Steve Morris.
The 300,000th house represents a decade of major growth for Habitat for Humanity, which was founded in 1976. In 2000, Habitat’s 100,000th house was built in New York City and 100,001st house in Plains, Georgia. Five years later, Habitat dedicated its 200,000th home in Knoxville, Tennessee, and 200,001st house in Kanyakumari, India.
Only one day after construction began in Naples with Habitat for Humanity of Collier County – Habitat’s highest producing U.S. affiliate, volunteers broke ground on the 300,001st house in Zacapa, Guatemala. Zacapa is a region which suffers one of the lowest levels of community and social development in Guatemala, and therefore the most in need of adequate housing. Habitat has already built a total of 1,236 houses in the region, reaching some 7,500 people.
Habitat is a worldwide movement that has a presence in nearly 90 countries, including Canada, all 50 states in the United States, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico. On average, Habitat for Humanity serves a low-income family somewhere around the world every 10 minutes through new house construction, major house rehabilitation projects and with house repairs. In 2007, Habitat served a record 49,000 families in need.
For more information, visit www.exitrealty.com and www.habitat.org.
