For Immediate Release | Official Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

36601 Ford Road | Westland, Michigan | 48185

Office 734.467.3200 | Fax 724.721.2310

WWW.CITYOFWESTLAND.COM

Westland Partners with Habitat for Humanity to Dedicate Home for Disabled Veteran

Westland, MI - The City of Westland and Habitat for Humanity Western Wayne County will be celebrating the dedication of Habitat's first home built for a local disabled veteran this year on Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11. The home is located at 4770 Matthew in Westland, and the ceremony will begin at 4:30 pm.

The veteran selected to live in the home is a Ford retiree and served in the United States Marines, and a current resident of the City of Wayne.

Westland has a history of successful projects partnering with Habitat for Humanity Western Wayne County. And with the completion of this home, Habitat for Humanity's efforts include the renovation of four houses and the construction of five new Westland houses since 2009.

"Rather than demolishing a useful structure, the City forged a partnership with Habitat for Humanity as part of our Neighborhood Stabilization efforts in the historic Annapolis Park subdivision," said Mayor Wild. "Since 2013, sales prices have risen 25 percent in Annapolis Park, a telling fact of the success of the program."

The City acquired this property in 2013 through the Wayne County tax foreclosure. At that time, that address was the most blighted house in Annapolis Park, with the siding gone, a collapsing garage, and extensive overgrowth in the backyard.

Westland HOME funds were used to eliminate the asbestos and lead paint, replace the roof and siding, demolish the garage and remove the overgrowth. City Council then approved the Developers Agreement with Habitat for Humanity in April of this year.

Mayor William R. Wild, members of city council, and other City staff will be in attendance at the dedication ceremony. The community is also invited to attend this special event on Veterans Day to remember and honor the sacrifices the men and women in the armed services have made for our country.

"I'm proud that our community will be the home of the local Habitat for Humanity's first house built for a veteran," added Mayor Wild. "Since our first Habitat partnership five years ago, we have done great work together to build stronger neighborhoods in Westland."

The Home Pre-Renovation

The Home Today

For more information, contact Aubrey Berman, Administrative Secretary,

at (734) 467-3200.

The City of Westland is the 10th largest city in Michigan with a population of over 84,000. The city's residential development is an excellent blend of single family homes, apartments and condominiums. The broad selection of housing opportunities is complimented by over 1500 acres of well-maintained parks and nature trails as well as a highly rated municipal golf course. Also available is a skate park, ice arena, a state-of-the-art Library and novel city park themes that are fun and family-friendly.

Westland has the location, land, infrastructure, and leadership, under Mayor William R. Wild to attract new industry and help existing businesses redevelop properties and to maintain competitiveness in today's global economy. Six modern platted industrial parks on 320 acres are served by class "A" internal roads, with up to date utilities and rail access available within two of the parks. Westland is conveniently located within the center of southeastern Michigan's expressway system, minutes north of Detroit Metropolitan Airport, and ideally located between downtown Detroit and Ann Arbor.

Westland is the area's premier "Shopping and Dining Destination". Westland Shopping center, one of the country's original four regional malls, boasts 80 retail stores and has anchored Westland's commercial district for more than 30 years. Westland's diversity and progressive planning offers residents a wide variety of life experiences, and make Westland truly the "All American City".