A national home-building alliance between Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Habitat for Humanity International will help Habitat for Humanity of Rowan County expand its home-building capacity by one home next year.

The home, to be built in Salisbury with $80,000, is one of eight being built by the alliance in North Carolina. The additional home is part of the Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity alliance that brings together thousands of volunteers and financial support from Thrivent Financial.

Habitat and Thrivent Financial have announced that $24.5 million has been committed to build 355 additional homes in 43 states with families in need in 2007.

“We are very thankful to participate in this wonderful effort,” said Coleman Emerson, executive director of Habitat for Humanity in Rowan County. “Thrivent Financial and Habitat will make a good team. Together we will be able to increase our outreach to low-income families.”

Thrivent Financial became Habitat for Humanity International’s largest ally as a result of a four-year $105 million commitment to help increase the nonprofit housing ministry’s home-building production. In addition, Thrivent Financial rallied its national network of nearly 3 million members to volunteer.

The alliance gives local Habitat affiliates the opportunity to work with more low-income families toward achieving Habitat’s mission of eliminating substandard housing.

In 2006, the first year of the alliance, 313 families in 43 states achieved the dream of home ownership — a projected 6 percent increase in Habitat’s United States home production. In its second year, the alliance is again increasing Habitat’s home construction by working with 256 Habitat affiliates to build the 355 homes.

“I’ve seen how Thrivent Builds with Habitat is helping families get out of substandard housing and achieve their dream of home ownership,” said Eric Brady, financial consultant of the Southeast Region of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. “This alliance has struck a chord with our member volunteers like nothing before.

“I’m sure it will result in amazing work in this community, too.”

Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity brings together two national nonprofit networks of 1,699 Habitat affiliates and 1,364 Thrivent volunteer chapters. Locally, the East Rowan and Southwest Rowan Thrivent volunteer chapters will help with the homes.

To learn more, log on to www.thriventbuilds.com.

Habitat for Humanity of Rowan County is a nonprofit Christian housing ministry dedicated to building decent, affordable housing in partnership with those in need in Rowan County. Since 1990, Habitat for Humanity of Rowan County has worked with 62 families to build homes.

For more information, phone 704-642-6292.