[Akron, OH]: Habitat for Humanity of Summit County gathered with partners, sponsors, families, friends, volunteers and neighbors in North Hill to break ground on the affiliates largest multi-home development. The development will include 16 new, affordable homeownership for local families and a new City of Akron Park. Habitat homes are sold to qualified families on a 30 year, zero interest mortgage.
Local government officials in attendance were City of Akron Mayor, Daniel Horrigan, Phil Lombardo, and Tara Mosley along with their team members. Betta Deblasio, Field Representative for Congresswomen Emilia Strong Sykes brought congressional recognition to Habitat for Humanity of Summit County saying “This is a welcomed addition to our community and to families in Akron.”
“There’s a lot of magic here this morning and for Habitat it’s stable housing but at its foundation it’s the three F’s.. and that’s faith, family, and friends” says Habitat for Humanity Board Chair, Jake Frego. “This day doesn’t happen without the ongoing support from our corporate partners, Akron Community Foundation is here, Amazon, Circle K and Huntington Bank… Thank you for being with us through the years, it couldn’t happen without you. That’s all part of the magic… it doesn’t happen without a team.”
“We will be building these in cycles. We’ll start the first six projects, then we will build another six and then we’ll build the final four. And the best part about this project is this land behind us has been approved by the city of Akron planning commission as the first new city of Akron park in over 40 years.” says Rochelle Sibbio, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Summit County.
9 of the 16 homes in the development have been chosen by families with more families in the program making their lot selection. These future homeowners attended the ground breaking event to celebrate the monumental day. One Future homeowner, Laurenthia Gurley spoke to the crowd saying, “I’d like to thank the City of Akron for providing us with the land. All the financial sponsors for their generous donations and the volunteers that will build with me and my family to help us make our dream of homeownership a reality… I always wanted my daughter to be able to grow up in a really good neighborhood with really good people and now she can because of Habitat for Humanity.”
For media requests related to this project, please contact Rochelle Sibbio at (330)745-7734 ext 203. To learn more about the Silver Maple Ridge development, visit here. To learn how to qualify for Habitat’s zero interest mortgage visit here.