Brian Ching, an All-Star soccer player for the Houston Dynamo and the United States National Team, has committed to raising $65,000 to help build a Houston Habitat for Humanity house for a hard-working, low-income family. "The House that Ching Built" is scheduled for construction beginning in April 2010.
Ching, the Dynamo's all-time leading scorer, is partnering with Houston Habitat and Dynamo Charities on the project. Houston Habitat is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian organization founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a decent, safe and affordable place to live. Dynamo Charities is the charitable arm of the Houston Dynamo which utilizes the sport of soccer for the enhancement of the lives of people in the greater Houston area.
"I have been blessed during my life, and Houston has been very good to me," Ching said. "Partnering with Houston Habitat and Dynamo Charities is a way that I can give back to the community that has supported me while also helping a family get the quality housing that they deserve. I want all of Houston to feel like they are part of this important project."
Thousands of low-income Houston families live in substandard or overcrowded housing. Roughly 650,000 Texans have "worst-case housing needs"- living in severely inadequate housing or paying more than 50 percent of their income on housing. Current economic conditions, the tightening of mortgage markets and the decline in new home construction have forced more families to rent, thus pushing up rental property rates and creating crushing economic pressures on the families who can least afford it.
"For two decades, Houston Habitat has worked to eliminate substandard housing by helping our neighbors purchase simple, decent homes in which to live," said Houston Habitat Executive Director Algenita Davis. "Now more than ever, we are seeing the immediate and critical need for affordable housing for Houston families. We are thrilled to have Brian Ching and Dynamo Charities as partners, not only because they are making home ownership a reality for a family, but because Brian's much-deserved worldwide visibility helps raise awareness about the crisis of substandard housing for thousands of local men, women, and children."
Since 1987, Houston Habitat has built more than 800 affordable homes and served more than 2,700 people. Ching has made the initial donation to jumpstart the fund-raising. Once built, the house will be easily recognizable as it will feature an orange front door to match the Dynamo's primary color. The back yard will feature a mini-soccer field and one room inside the house will be "Dynamized."
"We would like to commend Brian for giving back to the community," Oliver Luck, Dynamo President and General Manager, said. "The Houston Dynamo and Dynamo Charities take pride in being an organization that is always ready to help, and that attitude also permeates to our players. We are honored to work with Brian and Houston Habitat for Humanity. We look forward to making this the first of many "Dynamized" homes in Houston."
Individuals or organizations may help Brian Ching and Dynamo Charities by donating online at www.brianchingsoccer.com. Links on the site will direct donors to a secure webpage where the donations can be made.
About Dynamo Charities
Dynamo Charities is the charitable arm of the Houston Dynamo. Dynamo Charities enhances lives through a variety of programs and initiatives. It uses the Dynamo and the sport of soccer to provide opportunities in education, health, wellness and physical fitness, strengthening our communities through the promotion of volunteerism and community involvement, providing well-equipped and updated soccer fields to impoverished areas, scholarship funds, and other benevolent programs.
About Houston Habitat for Humanity
For more than 20 years, Houston Habitat for Humanity, along with thousands of sponsors and volunteers, has built more than 800 affordable homes for purchase by hard-working, low-income Houstonians. Mortgages are purchased on zero-interest basis, often with little or no down payment. Houston Habitat homebuyers contribute 300 hours of "sweat equity" by working on their own homes or the homes of their neighbors and are offered classes in money management and home maintenance. More information about Houston Habitat and its "ReStore" discounted building supply store is available online at www.houstonhabitat.org, or by calling 713-671-9993.
