FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 04, 2023
Bridgeport, CT – The Wells Fargo Foundation has awarded a grant of $15,000 to Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County to support the build of a brand-new, energy efficient, and affordable home on Stratford Avenue in Bridgeport, CT. Habitat CFC is one of more than 230 Habitat for Humanity affiliates awarded grant funding nationwide through the 2023 Wells Fargo Builds program to help low-income, working families access affordable homes.
The grant to Habitat CFC along with the support of Wells Fargo volunteers will help build a duplex located on Stratford Avenue. The house will be the future home of Andrea House and her grandchildren. Andrea is currently living in a one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment. She transformed her home into a three-bedroom by converting the living room and dining room so that her grandchildren could move in with her after their mother suddenly passed away.
On September 19 and September 21, 2023, Wells Fargo volunteers joined Habitat CFC to help the Habitat CFC construction staff with building scaffolding and installing siding on the future Habitat CFC home. This activity is a part of a Wells Fargo initiative called Welcome Home, whereby Wells Fargo employees across the country are working with local charities to make an impact in the company foundation’s funding priority, housing affordability. Throughout the month of September, Wells Fargo employees participated in volunteer events like this one in Bridgeport.
Carolyn Vermont, CEO of Habitat CFC, stated, “It takes a takes a village to create opportunities for low-income, working families to unlock their fullest potential and achieve their brightest future through affordable homeownership. We are grateful for the ongoing commitment by the Wells Fargo Foundation and the Wells Fargo staff who carry out its mission to make positive impact in the communities they serve.”
“As The Bank of Doing, we’re committed to opening pathways to affordable homeownership for more individuals so they can pass that legacy on and grow generational wealth,” said Terence Floyd, Vice President of Philanthropy and Community Impact for Connecticut at Wells Fargo. “We’ve embarked on our Welcome Home initiative because Wells Fargo believes a place to call home is the foundation for wellness, dignity, and economic opportunity. This project on Stratford Avenue aligns perfectly with that effort, and we salute the entire team at Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County for their help to create a future where everyone can have a quality place to live.”
Wells Fargo is a proud supporter of Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County, and we salute the entire team for making the dream of homeownership a reality for individuals and families across the area.”
At least one in six Connecticut households spend over half of their income on housing and the number of Bridgeport families who are struggling to afford rent is on the rise.
This funding is part of a $7.5 million donation to Habitat for Humanity International through the 2023 Wells Fargo Builds program to build and repair more than 350 affordable homes nationwide.
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About Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County
Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County (Habitat CFC) is a nonprofit organization that builds communities and improves lives by eliminating substandard housing and creating affordable homeownership possibilities by partnering with families in Fairfield County. Habitat CFC has a well-earned reputation for success in transforming abandoned properties into homes for taxpaying, contributing community members throughout the region. Since 1985, we have built or rehabbed 281 homes helping over 1,100 family members in Fairfield County.
We are dedicated to eliminating substandard housing by constructing new homes and rehabilitating previously owned Habitat homes. Habitat CFC works to eliminate barriers to a better, healthier, more financially stable life. With our help, Habitat homeowners achieve the strength, stability and independence they need to build a better future for themselves and their families. Habitat for Humanity was founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, durable place to live in dignity and safety, and that decent.