877-957-2277

Cars for Homes program builds in Mobile

by | Apr 11, 2011 | Charitable Contributions

Work begins on first house in the area

cars for homes Alabama(Click Image to View the Video Cars for Homes, Mobile, AL)

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) – Construction is underway for the first Cars for Homes house in southwest Alabama.

Habitat for Humanity Chief Executive Officer Brenda Lawless said the program raises funds from recycled cars to build homes for those in need.

“Its amazing over 2 million dollars a year in car donations, RV’s, trucks, trailers and anything on four wheels that can be hauled off has raised money for this program to build houses,” said Lawless.

Lawless called on this program when they lost funding from another source to build a home that was already in the works. She said she thought it was a long shot.

“We never thought that we would be able to get funding for a whole house through this program and that’s what happened,” said Lawless.

A house that will soon be a home to the Tukka family. The family does not speak English so Lemech Change translates for them.

“Its kind of exciting having come from a background where they didn’t have anything they could really call a home for themselves. It’s kind of really exciting and a new start for them,” said Change.

In the year that the family has been in the Habitat for Humanity program, they have spent hours working toward their own home. It’s called sweat equity. The moment they step into their new home, it will all be worth it.

“That will be the best part of it. That the work is done and the house is done and they now can settle down and that will be the moment that the family, that habitat has helped to put in a home,” said Change.

Habitat hopes this program will help lower the number of people without homes.

“This is another way that folks can contribute to Habitat for Humanity and help serve the families by donating an old vehicle that you would get rid of by another means,” said Lawless.

Program representatives from all over the country will be at the site in Hillsdale on Wednesday, April 13. They welcome everyone to come out and learn more about the Cars for Homes program.