PRESS RELEASE

3 Homes: From Dream to Reality

One of the most important factors in stabilizing neighborhoods is to create a high volume of home ownership in a short period of time. By choosing neighborhoods in Athens to collectively focus on, Athens Area Habitat for Humanity and the Athens Land Trust are doing just that. Several new homes have been built in the Waddell Street area resulting in a fresh outlook for the neighborhood. Homeowners in their new homes are able to look out for each other and their property as a collective force while reducing crime in the neighborhood.

The vision for 868, 870, and 872 Waddell Street began a year ago and has resulted so far in the acquisition and demolition of two blighted structures with no historic value, one of which was a burned out shell. By removing blighted and vacant houses, the neighborhood is no longer an eyesore but also, they are no longer hiding places for criminal elements which vacant and abandoned structures attract.

Plans are being developed to rebuild three permanently affordable energy efficient homes. By providing the opportunity of homeownership to lower income individuals, the neighborhood will soon be a model of transformation with owner occupied units resulting an incubator for the revitalization and stabilization of the surrounding area. It is through agency collaboration like this that we will be able to renew blighted neighborhoods in Athens thus giving a sense of pride to our residents, adding to the tax base of the county, reducing the crime in the neighborhood and turning the dream of homeownership into a reality.