NAHFH MAKES LARGEST LAND PURCHASE IN AGENCY HISTORY

As many of you know, I was honored to server as Nashville Habitat Chairman of the Board in 2007, and currently serve on the Executive Committee in the office of Immediate Past Chair. It's my 7th and final year on the Board, my 6th year on the Executive Committee, and I can't put into words how this announcement thrills my soul....the incredible happens when we step out together, as a community, in faith.

"Most people see what is, and never see what can be." Albert Einstein

Adding to the excitement of yesterday's announcement, HCA added the icing on the cake:
HCA chairman Jack Bovender made a surprise announcement on behalf of the HCA Foundation with a $200,000 challenge grant to build community parks in Nashville Area Habitat neighborhoods. Mr. Bovender challenged other organizations and companies to join the HCA Foundation in funding public spaces where neighbors can connect and children can play without fear. This is a very exciting development for our Crossing the Threshold capital campaign — one that will encourage the Nashville community to come together to Help Build It!


NAHFH MAKES LARGEST LAND PURCHASE IN AGENCY HISTORY
200+ acres provides for up to 450 energy-efficient, affordable homes
for more than 1,500 family members

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (August 5, 2008) – Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity announced today the purchase of 200+ acres of land for the agency’s next Habitat community, to be called Park Preserve. Representatives from HCA and its foundation joined in the announcement, and Mayor Karl Dean spoke about the importance of affordable housing to our Nashville community’s wellbeing. The agency recognized Pinnacle Financial Partners as the financial services partner that made this purchase possible.

It’s the largest land purchase in agency history and will more than double the number of Nashville Area Habitat homeowners (from 350 this fall to more than 800 by 2016). In keeping with its growth strategy, the 200+-acre Park Preserve property was purchased this year so that the property will be ready for development in 2009. Construction will take place in phases beginning in 2010. Initial funding for the purchase will be provided by Nashville Area Habitat’s Crossing the Threshold capital campaign, which launched its community phase in June.

Longtime agency partner HCA has had a vital role in the agency’s growth over the past six years (see page 3 for details). Today HCA demonstrated its continued commitment to Nashville Area Habitat with the announcement of a second 2008 home sponsorship, to involve seven Nashville area TriStar Health System hospitals in September.

Located in northern Davidson County near the agency’s Timberwood community, which is currently under construction, Park Preserve will provide land for up to 450 homes for more than 1,500 hardworking, low-income family members. More than 112,000 volunteers will help build Park Preserve between 2010 and 2016. When Park Preserve is complete, the taxable value of the land will have grown from $2.2 million to approximately $65 million.

Park Preserve Timeline:

May 2008 -- Land purchase
July 2009 to March 2010 -- Phase I land development
September 2010 -- Begin construction of 34 houses for Phase I
2016 -- Park Preserve completed, home to 450 families (approx. 1,500 family members)

Like all Nashville Area Habitat communities, Park Preserve will have homeowners’ association, open space and community parks. Additionally, Park Preserve will have community gardens and approximately 58 acres of primitive wilderness park with an extensive trail network connecting the community with existing neighborhoods.

All homes in Park Preserve will be Energy Star certified, and Nashville Area Habitat is considering alternative methods of heating, cooling and electrical power generation for the neighborhood.

There are several natural and man-made streams on the property. Nashville Area Habitat will be restoring these streams to enhance the community’s natural setting. Park Preserve is an expansive project, not only because it serves the Nashville community by providing 450 additional affordable homes, but also because Park Preserve will be a viable, responsible and affordable housing development.

It will incorporate LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards to maximize existing topography, minimize impact, and use the best available technologies to create an energy-efficient, affordable community for Nashville’s hardworking, low-income families. Park Preserve’s design will incorporate the existing terrain of man-made wetlands, streams, elevation changes, rocky areas and tree-covered hills in order to create a pleasant, cost-effective and environmentally conscientious community development.
About Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity (NAHFH)
NAHFH is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian organization committed to providing families with the life-changing opportunity to purchase and own decent, affordable homes. The agency consistently ranks in the top one percent of all Habitat affiliates and has grown by seven times in size since 2002. The agency built a record 55 homes in 2007 -- 40 locally and 15 abroad. To date, more than 1,200 family members, including 800 children, were served by NAHFH. Prior to becoming homeowners, Habitat partner families must complete up to 475 hours of "sweat equity" at the build site and in the classroom to earn their homes. Mortgage payments at zero percent interest range between $350 and $500 per month, including taxes and insurance. NAHFH builds ENERGY STAR certified energy-efficient homes. 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 call the local HUD office at (615) 736-5600.

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About HCA’s longtime partnership with Habitat for Humanity:

• HCA was instrumental in Habitat’s securing the land for the agency’s first model affordable housing community, Providence Park. (HCA leadership was instrumental in introducing land donor Centex Corporation to the Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity.)
• CEO Jack Bovender challenged community leaders to sponsor 10 homes in Providence Park in it’s first full year (2004) build season.
• HCA Foundation funded the construction of a $300,000 public park in Providence Park, built by Habitat and then donated to Metro Parks in 2006 to serve the Paragon Mills community.
• HCA has been an outstanding partner with the NAHFH and has continued to help fund the agency’s work – 11 houses in 7 years while also building 40 homes nationally with Habitat for Humanity International.
• HCA Foundation contributed $500,000 toward the land purchase and development as part of the Crossing the Threshold capital campaign for Habitat. Mr. Bovender serves on the Crossing the Threshold capital campaign steering committee.
• HCA has a long history of building homes for low-income people in markets where HCA has capital investments over $3MM.
• These actions are in keeping with the first line of the company’s mission: “Above all else, we are committed to the care and improvement of human life.” HCA just celebrated its “40 Years of Caring” anniversary in honor of caring for their patients, their colleagues, and their communities.
• More than 10,000 HCA staff members have contributed more than 80,000 hours since 2000 to help families build better lives through homeownership.
• HCA challenged NAHFH to mobilize community volunteers, and in the past six years the agency has worked with more than 50,000 volunteers to build better lives through homeownership.
• HCA has been a very important partner in the growth of Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity and the agency’s ability to serve more than 1,270 families – including more than 800 children -- with the life-changing opportunity to own a home.