Wells Fargo Joins Habitat for Humanity to Help Make Decent, Affordable Housing Possible as Part of the 27th Annual 'Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project'

ATLANTA, Sept. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Wells Fargo, lead sponsor of Habitat for Humanity's 27th annual Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project, will contribute $750,000 and 150 volunteers to the building event Oct. 4-8 in six cities.

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During this year's Carter Work Project, an anticipated 1,000 Habitat volunteers and partner families will build or rehabilitate 86 homes in Washington, D.C.; Baltimore and Annapolis, Md.; Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn.; and Birmingham, Ala. Wells Fargo volunteers will build in Washington, D.C.; Baltimore; the Twin Cities; and Birmingham.

"We have steadfastly focused on doing what's right for our customers and our communities.  From the beginning of the housing crisis and recession, we have joined with numerous leaders and organizations to preserve and advance homeownership and help stabilize neighborhoods," said Cara Heiden, co-president of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. "Consistent with our ongoing commitment to Habitat for Humanity, this funding – coupled with the hundreds of volunteer hours our team members contribute – reflects an increase over prior years' support to further help Habitat broaden the array of solutions it has to serve families and improve communities."

A long-time supporter of Habitat's work at the local level, Wells Fargo became a national partner in 2010 with an $8 million commitment. This commitment is part of Wells Fargo's Leading the Way Home® program, a national effort focused on preventing foreclosures, stabilizing communities and promoting sustainable homeownership through education.

"Our partnership with Wells Fargo focuses on Habitat's commitment to healthy communities," said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. "Improving existing housing stock and converting foreclosed properties to ownership is a major step. We are pleased to have Wells Fargo support this year's six-city build and our goal of making decent, affordable housing available for everyone."

Habitat's Carter Work Project will kick off on the UN World Habitat Day. Annually, World Habitat Day falls on the first Monday of October, and people around the world join together to advocate for the need and importance of housing and to exchange ideas.

Habitat also will host a gala tribute to President and Mrs. Carter in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 4.

The Carters are Habitat's most highly recognized volunteers. Each year since 1984, they have given one week of their time toward the Carter Work Project to build homes and raise awareness about the need for simple, decent and affordable housing.

Previous Carter Work Projects have been held across the United States and in Mexico, Canada, Hungary, South Africa, South Korea, India, the Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, China, Laos and Vietnam.  

About Habitat for Humanity International

Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built, rehabilitated, repaired or improved more than 350,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1.75 million people. For more information, or to donate or volunteer, visit Habitat.org.

About Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a nationwide, diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.2 trillion in assets. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 10,000 banking stores, 12,000 ATMs, the Internet (wellsfargo.com and wachovia.com), and other distribution channels across North America and internationally. With more than 278,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in America. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked #19 on Fortune's 2009 rankings of America's largest corporations. Wells Fargo's vision is to satisfy all our customers' financial needs and help them succeed financially.

SOURCE Habitat for Humanity International