Rock the Block Media Release May 2015

Contacts:
Carrie Wilson
[email protected]
816.8532784
Lindsay Hicks
[email protected]
816.547.8492
April 24, 2015
Habitat for Humanity Kansas City Teams Up with Burns & McDonnell to Repair 17 Homes
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Since 1979 Habitat for Humanity Kansas City has built or rehabbed more than 300
homes in partnership with families through their Home Ownership Program. In June 2014 they
expanded their services to include the Home Preservation Program. Offered to homeowners in the
Boston Heights and Mount Hope neighborhood, HPP focuses on assisting homeowners in making home
repairs and addressing life safety issues.
The Boston Heights and Mount Hope neighborhood was chosen as the Home Preservation Program’s
neighborhood because of its high rate of home ownership as well as its history as the first neighborhood
Habitat for Humanity Kansas City built in 36 years ago. The homeowners participating in the program
are responsible for paying a portion of the project cost. By contributing financially, residents take pride
in the effort and are empowered to improve their quality of living.
“The Home Preservation Program will help homeowners in the neighborhood who are struggling to keep
up the repairs and appearance of their homes,” says Esther Kershaw, Boston Heights and Mount Hope
Neighborhood Association President. “When families can’t afford this the pride in the neighborhood is
affected and property values go down while crime goes up, the end result being more abandoned
buildings. This program is a way to help combat that downhill spiral. ”
On May 2, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Habitat for Humanity Kansas City will host its third Rock the Block, a
celebration of its partnership with the Boston Heights and Mount Hope Neighborhood Association and
the neighborhood’s revitalization efforts. With the help of 150 Burns & McDonnell volunteers, Rock the
Block will work alongside the 3400 Flora residents to repair stairs and decks, landscape, paint, and
complete other much needed repairs.
If you are interested in applying for the HPP program, please visit the Habitat KC office at 1423 E.
Linwood Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64109.
If you are interested in volunteering or make a financial donation please call (816) 924-1096 or visit
www.habitatkc.org.
Habitat for Humanity Kansas City is the seventh oldest affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International.
Habitat for Humanity Kansas City is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Christian ministry working to fulfill the dream
of home ownership for low to medium-income families in the greater Kansas City metropolitan area. For
more information about Habitat for Humanity Kansas City, visit www.habitatkc.org.