Nashville Resident to Own 'Dream Home' Through Nissan and Habitat for Humanity Partnership

Nissan employees to help build 12 more homes in North America this year

Nashville, Tenn., 06.20.2008 -- For Nashville mother of four Angela Knight, moving into her new Habitat for Humanity home will be a “dream come true,” an opportunity for her family to stretch out, feel safe, and grow stronger and closer in a new home.

“This is a dream come true. Owning my own home will give me the chance to create a more structured setting for my children,” said Knight, who has been living with her family in the Historic Preston Taylor homes, a housing project in West Nashville. “I recognize my responsibility to teach them the importance of maintaining good character, strong morals and work ethic.”

Knight will also be able to teach her children the importance of green living. The new Habitat home is eco-friendly which aligns with both Nissan’s Green Program 2010 initiative to reduce its impact on the environment and Nashville Area Habitat’s recent receipt of the Energy Star Partner of the Year Award for their effort to build energy efficient homes.

The home is outfitted with low-flow toilets, faucets and showerheads, programmable thermostats, energy-efficient compact fluorescent lighting and recycled carpeting. Additionally, the home is landscaped with drought-resistant plants and shrubs that reduce the need for watering and is equipped with rain collection barrels.

Knight’s home is the second Nissan-sponsored Habitat home built in Nashville, and is part of Nissan North America’s yearly $1 million partnership with Habitat for Humanity International that includes house sponsorships, the donation of Nissan trucks and products, and the support of current Habitat projects.

More than 250 Nissan employees and executives in Nashville donated time to the Knight’s home, which is one of 13 Nissan-sponsored houses to be built this year in conjunction with U.S. Habitat affiliates in Michigan, Tennessee, Mississippi, Texas, California, Georgia and Arizona.

“Nissan is thrilled to have had a part in making this dream a reality for Angela and her family,” said Alan Buddendeck, vice president, corporate communications, for Nissan North America. “While helping build this house, we’ve also helped build teamwork within Nissan. Additionally, the Nissan partnership with Habitat is expanding and evolving in new and exciting ways that combine our commitment to the community and to the environment, which will be evident in the other homes that we are helping to build this year.”

“I know this experience with Habitat is going to make a lasting impact on my life and the lives of my children,” said Knight, after completing hundreds of hours of sweat equity, both on the build site and in Habitat HomeWORKS life skills and budgeting classes. “I am finally investing my money into my family’s future and that feels wonderful.”

About Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity
NAHFH is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian organization committed to providing families with the life changing opportunity to purchase decent, affordable homes. The agency consistently ranks in the top one percent of all Habitat affiliates and has grown by seven times in size since 2002. NAHFH built a record 55 homes in 2007 – 40 locally and 15 abroad. To date, more than 1,200 family members, including 800 children were served by NAHFH. Prior to becoming homeowners, Habitat partner families must complete up to 475 hours of "sweat equity" at the build site and in the classroom to earn their homes. Mortgage payments at zero percent interest range between $350 and $500 per month, including taxes and insurance. NAHFH builds ENERGY STAR Certified energy efficient homes. To request an application or to receive more information about NAHFH, visit habitatnashville.org. For information on Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity go to hud.gov/offices/fheo.

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 more than 250,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1 million people. For more information, visit habitat.org.

About Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program 2010, whose key priorities are reducing CO2 emissions, cutting other emissions and increasing recycling. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at NissanUSA.com and infiniti.com.

Source: Nissan

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