CURRENT NEWS

November 2006

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR TRANSITIONAL HOUSING
– Lake Norman Area’s Hope House Begins Renovations –

Huntersville, N.C. – November 2, 2006 – The Hope House Foundation announced today that it is in the preliminary stage of renovating a Huntersville residence located at 15604 Northcross Drive. To be called the Hope House, the Foundation will oversee these extensive renovations necessary to support the multi-family housing needs and the variety of support services to be offered. Scheduled for completion in the spring of 2007, the Hope House will then be ready to open its doors to displaced single women or women with children.

“We’re a year off of our initial plan to renovate the house,” explained Dr. Lee Beth Lindquist who established the foundation. “While waiting for the zoning permit for a group home, we offered the house to a family in the fall of 2005. And it was a year until they could get their lives back in order. Now, we are beginning the work that we had originally envisioned.”

The renovation and operation of the Hope House will be the first phase of providing a full continuum of housing options for those in need in this geographic area. Situated on four acres, the Hope House is an existing ranch-style home. After extensive renovations to the main level, the 4,000-square foot house will have six bedrooms with dormitory-style living to accommodate up to 12 adults. Handicapped access will be installed to the main level and a wheelchair-accessible mini-kitchen will be added to the currently unfinished lower level. The garage will be transformed into a secured children’s playroom and plans are to equip it with computers. A multi-purpose meeting room with a library will be added as well.

“Those families who live in the Hope House will go through a strict admissions process with the expectation that families will take on the responsibility of maintaining the home,” said Lee Beth. “This temporary housing is not an entitlement, but an opportunity for independence,” she went on to say.

The Hope House Foundation is currently seeking volunteers in the building industry to help with the renovations on this project. Building supplies and furnishings for the home are also needed. Since its inception, the Hope House Foundation has sought funding for upfitting the house to carry out the long-term vision of transitional housing for women and children. 

Founded in February 2004, the Hope House Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide transitional housing and support for single women as well as women with children. Located in Huntersville, the organization welcomes individuals from all walks of life and offers stays of up to six months. Services offered to Hope House residents will include medical treatment, social services, job search and career assessment tools and counseling, transportation and child care. To learn more about the Hope House Foundation and how to become involved, contact them at 704-992-1902 or visit their Web site at www.hopehousefoundation.org.

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March 2005