Efforts Help Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia Build First Low-Income LEED-certified Homes in Philadelphia; Metro Camden Habitat for Humanity Rehabilitate Home PHILADELPHIA, July 12 /PRNewswire/ -- GMAC Financial Services is providing volunteers and financial support to two local Habitat for Humanity affiliates to help build decent affordable housing for families in Camden, N.J. and Philadelphia, including the first low-income, LEED-certified homes in Philadelphia. During the course of the two builds, approximately 100 volunteers representing GMAC Mortgage, a subsidiary of GMAC's real estate finance group, will help build the homes. Addressing both the growing need for affordable housing and the development of green building, Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia is constructing Philadelphia's first low-income LEED-certified green homes, to be sold through zero-interest mortgages to families in need. GMAC is one of several sponsors, including GlaxoSmithKline, JP Morgan Chase, Nationwide, USAIR, and the Patrick J. Monaghan Foundation, that are working to complete seven three-story homes in the East Parkside neighborhood. "Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia is dedicated to building quality and affordable homes that benefit both the families and our community," said Timothy Block, executive director for Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia. "We believe that building green homes will make a positive impact on the homeownership experience by providing continued affordable living through the savings created through the use of energy efficient materials and appliances. The project is also designed to demonstrate the ease and affordability of incorporating environmentally friendly practices into construction and thus encourage a change in building in Philadelphia in general." LEED-certified homes are built with innovative materials and systems that save energy and reduce environmental impact, saving the homeowner money in the long-run through the use of energy-efficient appliances and building materials. Other benefits include reduced greenhouse gas emissions and less exposure to mold, mildew and other indoor toxins. GMAC Mortgage associates will help Metro Camden Habitat for Humanity build interior walls in a gutted row home for a local family in the Cooper Plaza neighborhood of Camden City. Construction for the three-bedroom, one and a half-bathroom house began in early May with demolition of the existing interior structure and should be completed before Christmas. Other Build Day sponsors in June that will be working on the same house, as well as an adjacent house include American Water, Commerce Bank and United Water. "We are grateful for GMAC's continued support to team with Metro Camden Habitat for Humanity to re-habilitate Camden City's neighborhoods," said Doug Wagner, executive director for Metro Camden Habitat for Humanity. "We salute the important work of Habitat for Humanity in creating safe, decent and affordable housing," said John Gray, executive vice president of Business to Consumer Lending for GMAC ResCap, the parent company of GMAC Mortgage. "GMAC associates are active on behalf of Habitat because we believe in supporting the communities where we live and work, and we know that homeowners play a vital role in building safe, strong and healthy communities." Habitat for Humanity affiliates across the United States and internationally are joining GMAC Financial Services and GMAC ResCap to provide funding and more than 1,000 volunteers to help build 16 Habitat homes in the United States, as well as additional homes in Canada, Mexico, and Australia.
