Amerigroup Joins Habitat for Humanity in Innovative Home-Building Project to Benefit People with Disabilities

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Sept. 24, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The Amerigroup Foundation today announced that it is contributing $350,000 to help fund construction of a crucial new building project for Habitat for Humanity of South Hampton Roads (SHR).

The two-year grant will go toward the land acquisition and construction of four new affordable and accessible homes for Hampton Roads families who are either headed by an individual with a disability or include a family member with a disability. Stable housing is a critical factor in managing the complex health care needs of these family members. According to national statistics, just 1 percent of the 65 percent of families who own their own home is headed by a person with a disability.

"In addition to being a very real solution to addressing home ownership, this project supports Amerigroup's goal toward promoting independent living for seniors and people with disabilities," said John E. Littel, chairman of the Amerigroup Foundation. "Habitat for Humanity SHR's new home project helps to eliminate some of the barriers that prevent people with physical and intellectual disabilities from owning their own home. We are hopeful that this model can be replicated in other states."

In the past, Amerigroup volunteers and vendor partners have worked with Habitat SHR to construct houses and raise funds for several Habitat for Humanity projects, including its "Brush With Kindness" program and 2008 "Building Blitz." The Foundation is also hosting its first-ever, "Swing For A Cause" golf tournament on Sept. 27, 2010, whose proceeds will benefit this project at Habitat SHR.

"Amerigroup and its employee volunteers have been a major factor in the success of Habitat SHR for many years. This grant is an extraordinary commitment for affordable housing to a particularly vulnerable group of families in our area," said Stephen Leaman, Habitat SHR board member, homebuilder volunteer and longtime Habitat supporter.

"We will design and build the individual homes to eliminate barriers to people with disabilities inherent in traditional residential building design," Leaman added. "Amerigroup should feel proud of the huge positive impact this grant will make for the families involved. This 'hand up' will literally change their lives."

Habitat will begin accepting applications from families interested in purchasing the homes in January 2011. Preference will go to those families who include a person with a disability.

About Habitat for Humanity

Since its founding in 1976, Habitat for Humanity has built more than 300,000 houses, sheltering more than 1.5 million people in more than 3,000 communities worldwide. The organization has built 160 homes in the South Hampton Roads region alone, and it is still building. To learn more, you can visit their website: http://shrhabitat.org

About the Amerigroup Foundation

The Amerigroup Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Amerigroup Corporation (NYSE: AGP), a multi-state managed health care company based in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The Foundation works to create healthy communities by fostering access to health care, encouraging safe and healthy children and families, and promoting community improvement and healthy neighborhoods. For more information about the Amerigroup Foundation, visit www.amerigroupcorp.com/foundation. 

SOURCE Amerigroup