Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity

Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity 1006 Eighth Avenue South • Nashville, TN 37203

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Ashley Webster, 969-2373 NAHFH CEO CHRIS MCCARTHY SET TO RETIRE IN 2010 During her eight-year leadership the agency has grown exponentially

NASHVILLE, Tenn. [March 31, 2010] – Nashville Area Habitat president and CEO Chris McCarthy has announced plans to retire at the end of the year.

A search is underway for a new president, and McCarthy’s retirement will be effective at the end of the year. During her eight years of leadership, Nashville Area Habitat has grown by six times in size, in what some would call the biggest turnaround for a nonprofit organization in Nashville’s history. • The agency has gone from purchasing lots and planning builds one at a time to securing larger pieces of land to build whole communities of Habitat homes. • As of December 2009, 75% of the homes built by NAHFH in its 26-year history were completed during Chris’s eight years as CEO. • More than 70,000 volunteers have been mobilized locally during her tenure in support of building better lives for families through homeownership • NAHFH’s responsible homeownership education program, HomeWORKS, was started in 2005 and has grown to offer 2,000+ hours of classes to family members per year. • The Habitat Homestore operation was started in 2004 and has funded the building of 15 homes. • Mortgage delinquency has dropped to single digits from a rate of 44 percent eight years ago, with an all-time low of zero percent in October 2009 and an average annual rate of 1%. • Providence Park, a 138-home community with 450 family members in southeast Nashville, was built between 2003 and 2007 and completed a year ahead of schedule. • The 112 homes in Timberwood, were 375 family members will live when finished, is currently 60% complete. • The Park Preserve neighborhood, where land development began in fall 2009, will eventually become home to more than 350 families. “Chris brought her business savvy to bear for Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity when it was struggling, fiscally and operationally,” said board chair Matthew Wilson. “The agency is now recognized in the top one percent of all U.S. Habitat affiliates and has received numerous local awards, not to mention national honors for its energy efficient building practices as well as for leadership in championing the cause of minority homeownership. The Nashville community and Habitat agencies nationwide have benefited from her leadership and accomplishments. Chris has built a strong, well qualified leadership team of seasoned professionals who are committed to further the mission of Habitat and continue to grow our agency’s service to families in the community.” McCarthy says she is proud of the progress the agency has made, is thankful for the support of staff, board, volunteers, donors and Habitat families, and expects to see Habitat flourish and grow for years to come. Her husband, John McCarthy, retired in December 2009, and they are both looking forward to more time with family. Chris and John plan to remain actively involved with Nashville Area Habitat. Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity (NAHFH) is an ecumenical Christian ministry that provides the life-changing opportunity for people to purchase and own quality, affordable homes. In its 26-year history, Nashville Area Habitat has built more than 600 homes, including 182 homes overseas. To date, the agency has served more than 1,450 family members, including more than 930 children.

To request an application or to receive more information about NAHFH, call 615-254-HOME (4663) or visit www.habitatnashville.org. For information on Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity go to www.hud.gov/offices/fheo or contact the local HUD office.