Lowe’s heroes to complete safety and home preservation repairs for eligible homeowners

CAMBRIDGE — Habitat for Humanity Choptank has been awarded a $40,000 grant from Lowe’s to participate in the revitalization of the Historic Pine - High Street area in Cambridge as part of Habitat for Humanity’s Neighborhood Revitalization, a nationwide program dedicated to serving more families through community development partnerships. Lowe’s awarded $1.75 million in grants to 22 Habitat affiliates across the country to support more than 84 community improvement projects ranging from critical repairs to new home construction. Habitat for Humanity Choptank will use the funds to complete critical exterior home repairs for eligible homeowners in the community. The program will focus on safety and accessibility improvements as well as repairs to correct code violations.

Habitat Choptank holds open community meetings on the first Friday of every month at Liv Again, 317 High St., Cambridge to bring together interested community residents, nonprofits, agencies, and members of the City Council members and staff.

“Housing repair has been the top conversation at each meeting,” says Rhodana Fields, neighborhood revitalization manager for Habitat Choptank. “The City of Cambridge has set a goal of reducing housing blight. Homeowners are seeking a way to preserve the history of the community, and to keep families from having to move out as the property owner’s age and have fewer resources to make necessary repairs. This partnership with Lowe’s creates an opportunity to address these issues.”

Through Habitat’s Neighborhood Revitalization efforts, Habitat affiliates offer an expanded array of housing services and partner with local residents, housing leaders, community groups and businesses to transform neighborhoods and enhance the quality of life in communities.

“Involvement from the business community is so vital. We’re grateful to Lowe’s for their generous support in our community and around the U.S.,” said Nancy Andrew, executive director of Habitat Choptank. “Through their support of this program, we are able to make a difference for families in our neighborhood and help build strength, stability and self-reliance in communities.”

A national partner since 2003, Lowe’s has committed more than $63 million to Habitat for Humanity and helped more than 6,500 families improve their living conditions. Each year, Lowe’s provides grants and volunteer assistance to affiliates, supports National Women Build Week and conducts how-to clinics at stores to teach volunteers construction skills.

“Lowe’s shares Habitat’s vision that having a safe, stable home helps bring strength, security and pride to families and ultimately communities,” said James Frison, Lowe’s community relations director. “It’s important for us to support Habitat’s Neighborhood Revitalization program and help revive neighborhoods like the Historic Pine Street Area, making them places where people love to live.”