Habitat for Humanity-Greater Columbus has been selected as one of 163 affiliates in the United States to participate in Habitat for Humanity International's initial phase of its new Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative.

The program encourages expansion of services to reach more families in need of decent, affordable housing, according to last week's announcement. The effort focuses on improving housing conditions while partnering with other community organizations to provide services that enhance the overall quality of life across struggling neighborhoods.

As a part of this new program, Habitat Columbus was also selected to serve an advisory role as one of 55 affiliates nationwide to participate in the Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative Working Group. Members of this group will make recommendations on community development process improvements and how best Habitat affiliates can serve communities.

"Habitat for Humanity is looking for ways to holistically improve communities," E.J. Thomas, chief executive officer of Habitat for Humanity-Greater Columbus, was quoted as saying. "By providing a more holistic approach to community development, our housing ministry can impact families and neighborhoods through a variety of collaborative strategies. While we will still build new houses, as has been our traditional service to families, we will also offer other services and work in new ways to further support families and improve neighborhoods.

"We were selected to participate in the working group because, in part, we have already implemented nontraditional ways to address the overall needs of our families and Columbus communities."

As part of the first phase of the initiative, Habitat Columbus will receive training and guidance on how to further revitalize communities through a variety of housing solutions and diverse, collaborative community development efforts.

"The affiliates selected to take part in the first phase of the NRI are a diverse group so that we can learn how neighborhood revitalization will work in as many different Habitat affiliate situations as possible," Larry Gluth, senior vice president of Habitat's U.S. and Canada area office, said in a statement. "We'll take lessons learned from this first phase and incorporate them as the program expands over time. The NRI adds another dimension to our mission of providing families with decent, affordable places to live."

Through the initiative, Habitat Columbus will work with other community organizations to determine the projects that will be carried out locally.

Habitat services may include new house construction, rehabilitation of vacant and foreclosed properties, house repairs for low-income homeowners, and weatherization to make houses more energy-efficient and affordable.

Training and project planning will take place during the remainder of 2010 with a project rollout expected in early 2011 in the Greater Columbus area.

"If we are going to help families thrive in healthy neighborhoods, we have to direct some significant efforts into healing America's troubled communities," Habitat for Humanity International CEO Jonathan Reckford said in the statement. "These affiliates will work together to develop strategies and create strong networks that can address individual neighborhood issues."