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Habitat for Humanity Goes Urban

By Jeaneane Payne

habitat for humanity
Charlie and Moll Anderson and country star Keith Urban present Regina Olum and her family with their new Habitat for Humanity home, part of Knoxville's "Music Row," a street of homes made possible by the Anderson Family Foundation. Top country stars work with the Foundation, Anderson Merchandisers and Habitat for Humanity to make the homes possible. Image provided by Anderson Family Foundation.

Country music recording artist Keith Urban will be giving the keys to a new Knoxville Habitat for Humanity homeowner today.

Knoxville's "Music Row" has a new resident. Forty-four year old Regina Olum, her son and her mother live in the newest home of Knoxville Habitat for Humanity's development. Funded and inspired by the Charlie and Moll Anderson Family Foundation, the house is the second of what will be 10 homes planned for "Music Row" which is located in the Lonsdale Community.

Olum's home has been named "The Keith Urban House." "I think I screamed when I found out it was Keith Urban," said Olum. "I'm a huge country music fan – and of Keith Urban – and it is very exciting for me."

"It's a real honor to be a part of this for Regina," Urban said. "It's a beautiful thing when a house becomes more than walls and a roof but a place where memories are made."

Even though the homes are underwritten by the foundation, they are not given away. In lieu of a down payment, Olum and all homeowners in the Habitat for Humanity program are required to complete 500 hours of sweat equity, mostly in the form of budgeting and homeowner classes. In addition, the family pays a mortgage on the home at zero-percent interest over 25 to 30 years. The mortgage payments go back into building more simple, decent and affordable homes.

Published August 13, 2011

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