City of Canton and Habitat for Humanity earns National Community Development Award

Partnership between Habitat for Humanity and City of Canton earns National Community Development Award

Canton, Ohio, (January 8, 2019) - The City of Canton Development Department has been recognized with the Audrey Nelson Community Development Award of Merit for a collaborative partnership with Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio. Through this partnership, homeowners within the City of Canton completed Habitat's Homeowner Maintenance Education (HOME) course-hands-on educational training that teaches basic, yet vital, home maintenance skills. This award is presented by the National Community Development Association for exemplary uses of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to address the needs of families, homes and neighborhoods. 

HOME training was originally developed by Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio to equip Habitat partner fa milies with foundational knowledge and tools to successfully maintain their homes. HOME earned the local organization the Clarence E. Jordan Award for excellence and innovation from Habitat for Humanity International. Through a CDBG grant from the City of Canton, Habitat offered this educational course to Canton residents for free in an effort to strengthen neighborhoods and improve the quality of life for city residents.

Roughly 80% of Canton homes were built before 1970, resulting in about 22,000 units that are part of the city's aging housing population. "Offering HOME training through Habitat helps residents develop practical skills and self-confidence to address the needs of older structures," said Rollin Seward, Department of Development Director for the City of Canton. "Habitat shares our passion for seeing families thrive in this city, and decent housing is key. This award is a testament to the power of our partnership and its long-term benefit to our community." 

"Habitat has always been a ministry of dignity, helping families build their OMl futures with a hand up, not a hand out," said Beth Lechner, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity. "A decent place to call home-and the ability to take care of that home for years to come-is an opportunity we all deserve. We're truly grateful for the way the City of Canton has partnered closely with us in this and many other ways as we work together to empower the residents who call Canton home." 

This valuable training program is still available to residents within the City of Canton. Those wishing to participate in future HOME training courses at Habitat for Humanity, should call 330- 915-5888 or email info@habitateco.org.

About Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio:

Serving Stark. Carroll, Tuscarawas, Harrison, and Jefferson Counties, Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio is driven by  the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live. People partner Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can calI home.  Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and purchase the homes with an affordable zero interest mortgage.  Though financial support, volunteering, or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability, and self-reliance they need to build better lives fro themselves.  Thought shelter, Habitat empowers.  To learn more, visit habitateco.org 

About City of Canton Department of Development:

The Office of Development of the City of Canton, Ohio is responsible for overseeing Community and Housing Development of the City.  Canton residents from all walks of life deserve clean, safe, and attractive neighborhoods in which they can live, work, and raise a family.  Canton's citizens enjoy the largest Police & Fire Departments in Stark County, a safe water supply that will allow virtually unlimited growth for Canton and its businesses to flourish.  To contact the Office of Development and/or the Development Director, please call (330) 489-3258 or visit cantonohio.gov/development