Jones Realty & Construction Corporation Donates Six Properties to Help Build Habitat Homes
Jones Realty and Construction Corporation donated six properties to support Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity’s efforts to increase affordable homeownership opportunities in the Greater Richmond area. Five of the properties are located in Southside Richmond and the other property is located in East End Richmond.
“Jones Realty and Construction Corporation is pleased that Richmond Metro Habitat for Humanity is able to take these properties and use them in a positive manner,” said Clarke Jones, owner of Jones Realty and Construction Corporation. “The Jones family has spent nearly a century in real estate and construction building relationships and businesses in metro Richmond and are humbled to be able to give back to the community in this way. It feels like a small gesture in comparison to the work that Habitat does on a daily basis.”
These donated properties will be used to construct homes through Habitat for Humanity’s Affordable Homeownership Program. This program serves individuals who earn less than it takes to qualify for a traditional mortgage. Homebuyers complete homeownership and financial education classes, one-on-one monthly budgeting sessions, and 350 hours of “sweat equity,” or volunteer time, before purchasing their homes. Once completed, the homebuyers purchase their homes and pay an affordable, zero interest mortgage, making the dream of homeownership, and the stability that it brings, attainable. Since 1986, Richmond Habitat has partnered with over 360 local families and individuals who have gone on to purchase affordable homes.
“With the cost of property soaring in the Richmond Metro area, one of the greatest gifts we can receive is property. Without property, we cannot build homes,” said Mary Kay Huss, CEO of Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity. “The need for equitable and affordable housing is huge, and companies like Jones Realty can really help us move the needle and serve more local families.”
Richmond Habitat has set a goal of significantly increasing the number of families served through their programming over the next five years. “We anticipate we will need to acquire 16 new properties each year,” said Mary Kay, “We welcome local companies and individuals to reach out to us if they are interested in partnering to help us achieve this goal!”
