Enterprise and United Way Partner to Build Homes for Mississippi Families

COLUMBIA, Md., March 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Enterprise Community Partners, Inc. (Enterprise) and United Way have teamed together on a community service project to bring student volunteers to Mississippi's Gulf Coast to complete the construction of new homes at Highland Village in Ocean Springs, Miss. From March 28 - April 3, a corps of United Way volunteers will paint and landscape at the site, which features 75 cottages owned by Enterprise partner Mercy Housing and Human Development (MHHD). These cottages will provide a permanent affordable rental housing option for local families displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Highland Village is located at Highway 90 and Gibson Road and is part of MHHD's "Cottages for the Coast" program.

"Enterprise is pleased to join United Way and Mercy Housing in a truly unique effort that will bring affordable housing to the Gulf Coast region," said Doris W. Koo, president and CEO, Enterprise Community Partners, Inc. "As we near the 5th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina this summer, we celebrate the progress made to date but recognize that private sector resources are still needed to continue rebuilding for the future."

Proceeds from the sale of the By the People: For the People soundtrack benefit United Way and Enterprise's Gulf Coast rebuilding efforts and made this volunteer effort possible. The soundtrack features some of the world's most talented artists, including: Bruce Springsteen; John Mayer; Dave Matthews; Sheryl Crow; India.Arie; Jon Bon Jovi; Tim McGraw and more. It was inspired by an acclaimed HBO documentary chronicling the candidacy and election of President Barack Obama. The soundtrack and documentary were produced by Green Film Company, a New York-based production company focusing on documentary and narrative films. Green Film Company produced and financed the documentary and soundtrack with Enterprise trustee and actor Edward Norton's company, Class 5.

"In many ways, 'By the People' is a portrait of the people in Obama's campaign who believed that their individual effort could help make history," said Norton. "So it's fitting that all the proceeds from the soundtrack support Enterprise and United Way's efforts to engage volunteers who also think that they can make a difference, restoring hope and rebuilding lives in the Gulf Coast."

Enterprise has provided more than $2 million in grants to build 675 affordable homes in Mississippi in the four and a half years since Hurricane Katrina. In addition, Enterprise has provided a $25,000 grant to MHHD to support the installation of the first 10 cottages at Highland Village as well as funding toward site preparation work.

"United Way remains committed to long-term recovery in the Gulf Coast," said Randy Punley, director of media and corporate partnerships at United Way Worldwide. "We're grateful to Enterprise, Edward Norton and all of the artists involved in the soundtrack for 'By the People' for helping us and our committed young volunteers to advance the common good through our ongoing rebuilding efforts."

MHHD is one of a select group of nonprofits that were approved by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) to receive the cottage homes at no cost. MHHD will require that families renting the cottage homes attend financial education classes, which include sessions on insurance counseling, survival skills and how to enroll in an Individual Development Account to ensure their success in the new community.

"This project represents a collaboration of public, nonprofit and private entities working together to address affordable housing on the Gulf Coast. In addition, the effort at Highland Village represents an excellent example of the permanent use of MEMA's Mississippi Cottages. Mercy Housing is happy to be part of this team effort," said Sarah Landry, executive director of MHHD.

The Mississippi Alternative Housing Program is a pilot program funded through a FEMA grant and administered by MEMA. It was created to demonstrate that improved housing solutions for disaster victims can be developed, tested and used effectively following major disasters. The program seeks to demonstrate successful design, construction and delivery of safer, more livable emergency housing units that may serve as affordable housing for long-term recovery.

"Highland Village is close to completion and the new cottage homes will soon be occupied," said Donovan Scruggs, principal of Town Planning and Consulting, which created the site plan for the development. "The assistance of the United Way volunteers will enhance the overall aesthetics of the community and allow it to be completed on schedule. To simply say they are appreciated is a huge understatement."

Enterprise is a leading provider of the development capital and expertise it takes to create decent, affordable homes and rebuild communities. For more than 25 years, Enterprise has introduced neighborhood solutions through public-private partnerships with financial institutions, governments, community organizations and others that share our vision. Enterprise has raised and invested more than $10 billion in equity, grants and loans to help build or preserve more than 250,000 affordable rental and for-sale homes to create vital communities. Enterprise is currently investing in communities at a rate of $1 billion a year. Visit www.enterprisecommunity.org and www.enterprisecommunity.com to learn more about Enterprise's efforts to build communities and opportunity.   

United Way is a worldwide network in 45 countries and territories, including nearly 1,300 local organizations in the U.S. It advances the common good, creating opportunities for a better life for all, by focusing on the three key building blocks of education, income and health. The United Way movement creates long lasting community change by addressing the underlying causes of problems that prevent progress in these areas. LIVE UNITED is a call to action for everyone to become a part of the change. For more information about United Way, please visit: LIVEUNITED.org.

Mercy Housing and Human Development (MHHD) collaborates with other organizations whose mission and values are similar, utilizing integrated strategies to provide housing, community and economic development for low-wealth families in Mississippi. Through research, analysis, advocacy, direct services and community organizing, MHHD responds to contemporary needs.

SOURCE Enterprise Community Partners, Inc.