HABITAT GREATER SAN FRANCISCO HIGHLIGHTS CONTINUING FORECLOSURE CRISIS ON WORLD HABITAT DAY

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF., October 4, 2010-- In recognition of "World Habitat Day," Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco today announced significant progress in its foreclosure recovery effort -- the Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) -- with more than $3 million committed to the program through strong community support and 18 NRP homes completed, under renovation, or planned thus far. As a United Nations-designated day to raise awareness about the lack of adequate housing in cities around the world, Habitat Greater San Francisco chose today to highlight the continuing foreclosure crisis in Marin, San Francisco and the Peninsula, especially areas such as Novato, East Palo Alto, and the Belle Haven neighborhood of Menlo Park that have been destabilized by the increased default rates in their communities.

Habitat Greater San Francisco introduced the NRP program at the height of the housing meltdown 18 months ago with an initial investment of $500,000 and matching grant from the city of Menlo Park to acquire and rehabilitate five bank-owned homes in Belle Haven, enabling new affordable homeownership opportunities for local working families. Since then, the program has grown significantly with the increase in financial support from local banks, businesses, cities, churches, foundations and hundreds of individuals, making it possible for Habitat to acquire more properties and assist more hard-hit neighborhoods. These community supporters include: Bank of America Charitable Foundation, Cargill, Coldwell Banker, Federal Home Loan Bank, Marin Community Foundation, Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, Wells Fargo, San Mateo County, and the cities of East Palo Alto, Novato and San Rafael. Highlights of the community support include:

• More than $1.5 million in funding approved by the cities of East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Novato, and San Rafael;

• $200,000 in additional funding committed by the Marin Community Foundation for a total of $450,000;

• More than $250,000 in support from local banks;

• $150,000 from Menlo Park Presbyterian Church;

• $120,000 from San Mateo County.

In addition to the NRP homes that have already been completed in Menlo Park and Novato, Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco will dedicate another NRP home next week in San Rafael -- the first in that community and second Habitat home in Marin County so far -- giving one more family the opportunity for a better future through the NRP program. Habitat Greater San Francisco also recently acquired two foreclosed homes in East Palo Alto, which are under renovation.

About Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco
Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco partners with working families and the community to build affordable ownership homes in Marin, San Francisco and the Peninsula. Providing a unique solution to the local housing crisis, Habitat Greater San Francisco has enabled more than 150 families to purchase affordable housing since 1989. In addition to the NRP homes, Habitat has begun construction on its largest and most ambitious development to date: a four-story, 36 condominium development in Daly City. For additional information about Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco, go to: www.habitatgsf.org.

Contact: Jennifer Doettling, Communications Director,
Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco
415-625-1016 / jdoettling@habitatgsf.org