Construction has begun for a Habitat for Humanity home in Chattanooga funded through a partnership with the George R. Johnson Family Foundation and area Hardee’s restaurants that will build two houses in Chattanooga and ten elsewhere in Southeast Tennessee and North Georgia over the next four years.
"This is the second multi-year partnership between the foundation and Habitat for Humanity affiliates in our region," said John Lamb, Resource Development Manager at Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga. “The foundation previously funded eight homes in Tennessee and Georgia – one was built here in Chattanooga, and we recently completed another in Spring City,” he said. “We appreciate the foundation’s support of Habitat’s work around our region, and here in Chattanooga. Their support this year, and in 2009 will help two more families have simple, decent and affordable homes.”
Additional funding for the effort is coming from the Baylor School and UTC’s Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter. “This is the 2nd house built collaboratively by Baylor and UTC students, and Baylor’s 6th house building effort in Chattanooga,” noted Mr. Lamb.
At work in Chattanooga, since 1986, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga is an ecumenical Christian housing organization dedication to transforming our community through the construction of simple, decent and affordable homes in partnership with low-income families. Habitat will shortly begin construction of its 200th home in partnership with the EPB. Habitat’s zero interest loans and its homeowner education programs give its partner families a hand up, not a hand out.
The George R. Johnson Foundation was established in 2000 by the late George R. Johnson, an entrepreneur whose company, Franco, Inc., owned and operated Hardee’s restaurants in East Tennessee and Northwest Georgia. Johnson established the foundation to give back to the communities that had supported his business for many years. His restaurants continue to be operated today by his family.