UC Partners With Fifth Third To Kick Off Habitat For Humanity Project

Two sisters are looking forward to becoming neighbors as UC’s new partnership with Cincinnati Habitat for Humanity builds a new home over fall and winter quarters. The official kickoff takes place at noon, Saturday, Sept. 18, at the construction site at 128 Winkler St. in Mt. Auburn. The celebration will also include an announcement from Fifth Third Bank, as Fifth Third lends support to the project.

"Fifth Third Bank is the leading home lender in Greater Cincinnati," says Ed Owens III, Fifth Third Vice President, Community Affairs Officer. "There's a direct correlation between the availability of quality housing stock and a decrease in crime and blighted streets. Habitat for Humanity helps keep our neighborhoods vibrant, and we're proud to partner with UC to fund this extremely worthwhile venture." 

UC faculty, staff and students will build a two-story, three-bedroom home for Janie Cunningham and her family, according to Mitchel D. Livingston, Vice President for Student Affairs and Services. Livingston says the university-wide partnership started last year when more than 180 UC volunteers accepted responsibility and provided over 2,380 hours to build a new home for Janie’s sister, Sylvia Smith, and her two children.

A UC Honors Scholars freshman English class got an early start on framing the Cunningham home as part of a new course that combines the classroom with service learning. A section of that class will be finishing up its work at the site on the day of the kickoff ceremony.

The Cincinnati Habitat for Humanity partnership is one example of how UC acts on its values by establishing relationships and partnerships with local and global communities – an objective outlined in the UC|21 strategic plan to define the new urban university.

Cincinnati Habitat for Humanity, Inc. is a non-profit, faith-based housing ministry dedicated to providing simple, decent, affordable housing in partnership with low-income families. The organization builds new homes and rehabilitates existing homes using tax-deductible cash contributions, volunteer labor, and donated building materials to sell homes at no profit and no interest. Mortgage payments, averaging $350 per month, are used to build additional houses, making the dreams of home ownership come true for more families. Cincinnati Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1986 and is affiliated with Habitat for Humanity International, based in Americus, Ga.