ADOPTED 06/02/1998

WHEREAS, the House of Representatives has expressed a commitment in HR 147 to provide leadership, participation, and support for activities to provide decent homes for the people of the United States; and

WHEREAS, the National Partners in Homeownership, a public-private partnership comprised of 63 national organizations under the leadership of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, has established a goal of reaching an all-time high homeownership level in the United States by the end of the 20^th century; and

WHEREAS, one of the best-known nonprofit housing organizations is Habitat for Humanity International, which builds simple but adequate housing for less fortunate families and symbolizes the self-help approach to homeownership; and

WHEREAS, the "House That Congress Built," initiated in June 1997 via HR 147, is in its second phase, during which a simple affordable home will be built in partnership with Habitat, local organizations, and a low-income family in each of the 435 congressional districts during 1998; and

WHEREAS, the Members of the House of Representatives will participate in home-building activities of Habitat for Humanity in their own districts; and

WHEREAS, Congressman Clement supports the effort begun by HR 147 to demonstrate leadership in building affordable housing for low-income families in his district, and in establishing local coalitions to meet this goal; and

WHEREAS, the second week of June 1998 was designated as National Homeownership Week in a continuing nationwide effort to construct affordable housing and to help low-income families move toward homeownership; and

WHEREAS, the Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity is building its 95^th home on June 5, 1998; and

WHEREAS, the Home Builders Association of Middle Tennessee will also join with Habitat to build this house, which will be their seventh Habitat house, to demonstrate their commitment to Habitat for Humanity’s mission, which is building homes for those in need.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

SECTION 1. Congressman Clement, the Home Builders Association of Middle Tennessee, and Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity, with support from the National Partners in Homeownership, will sponsor and construct a home in the Chesapeake neighborhood in Nashville commencing on June 5, 1998.

SECTION 2. This home will be constructed in partnership with its new owner, Ms. Marilyn Winston, to provide her family with the opportunity to own a home and enhance their financial security.

SECTION 3. The Home Builders Association of Middle Tennessee, Habitat, and Congressman Clement and his staff will attempt to break the world record for building Habitat homes by building this house in less than five hours and 57 minutes.

SECTION 4. The building of this home will be promoted to demonstrate the importance of partnerships among public, private, and nonprofit organizations in encouraging homeownership as a strategy for building strong communities.

SECTION 5. The Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as supporting the Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity, Congressman Bob Clement, and the Home Builders Association of Middle Tennessee in their efforts to construct a new Habitat home.

SECTION 6. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a copy to Habitat for Humanity, Congressman Bob Clement and the Home Builders Association of Middle Tennessee.

SECTION 7. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its passage, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored By: Don Majors