Partner families, volunteers, sponsors, elected officials and Habitat staff broke ground at Terrace Green (A & Townsend Streets, Southbridge neighborhood of Wilmington) Friday, July 16 This is Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County’s third project of 2010 and second in Wilmington. Once completed, the complex will consist of six new affordable two and three-bedroom homes.

“We are continually encouraged that our community is concerned with the less fortunate and they consistently raise money on their behalf. We thank all of our sponsors including City of Wilmington (Real Estate & Housing), DNREC, Stephen & Mary Birch Foundation, Longwood & Welfare Foundations, Christ Church Christiana Hundred, Deutsche Bank & Trust Company and Southbridge Civic Association for helping this vision become a reality,” said HFHNCC Executive Director Kevin L. Smith.

Once completed, Terrace Green will have (2) two-bedroom homes and (4) three-bedroom homes. The land the homes will be built on are classified as Brownfields by the State of Delaware. DNREC, one of the project’s lead sponsors, will handle site cleanup costs involved with the project. A recent study conducted by the University of Delaware’s Center for Applied Demography and Survey Research showed a return of almost $17.50 on every dollar spent on the State’s initial investment. Brownfields are abandoned, idled, or underutilized industrial and commercial facilities and sites where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by the real or perceived threat of environmental contamination.

Currently HFHNCC has three projects under construction in New Castle County: Grace Point (6 townhomes in Middletown) Simonds Gardens (2 ranch homes in New Castle) and Phillips Park II (2 townhomes on Cade Street, Wilmington).

During the event each home owner will tell their unique story that brought them to Habitat: overcrowded conditions, extremely high rent and the desire to become a homeowner. The sponsor representatives will leave each homeowner with a personalized message of courage and inspiration on a wall in the home.