Commerce Title’s commitment to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge for over 20 years has made the dream of home ownership possible for many families in our community. Securing land is one of the most important aspects of building Habitat homes. The assistance Commerce Title provides with the purchase of land involves clearing the title on lots that have been tied up with succession issues for many years. These lots have been vacant, bringing down property values in the area. The work Commerce Title does to make these lots available for purchase creates a dramatic difference in the surrounding community. Entire neighborhoods are uplifted once these lots become homes for deserving families.
Most recently, Commerce Title helped us clear the title and close on three lots on Mississippi Street in Valley Park. This land was used during the 2015 Greek Week Build, in which two homes were built in one week by the fraternities and sororities of LSU.
Monique Hookfin and her family are one of the many families impacted by our partnership with Commerce Title and the LSU Greek System. Monique’s home was the 20th house built during the Greek Week Build since it began in 2005. She and her three daughters wanted a place to call their own after only having known cramped apartments. Monique wanted her children to have space to play and have friends over. She wanted them to be proud of their home. Their new house was built by over 1000 fraternity and sorority members during Greek Week last spring. Monique worked alongside them and did everything from helping to raise the walls on her new home, to laying sod in her new yard. She will now purchase her house with a no interest mortgage, and those payments will then go back into the Fund for Humanity to help build more homes for deserving families.
The benefits of safe and affordable housing extend far beyond the individual families served by Habitat for Humanity. Children who grow up in their own home are healthier and safer. They do better in school and are more likely to continue their education. At Habitat we know that a safe and stable home is foundational. It affects all aspects of a child’s life. Thanks to the support of Commerce Title and our volunteers, partners and donors, we will one day achieve our goal of making sure all children in our community have a safe place to lay their head at night.
Lynn T. Clark
Executive Director
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge
