Uponor North America pledges a second year of partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota to bring efficiency to Habitat homes across Minnesota.
10 MAY 2018, MINNEAPOLIS – In an effort to build community relationships and support resilient, affordable housing, Uponor North America will donate residential water distribution systems to 20 Habitat for Humanity homes in Minnesota, totaling over $33,000 in product (an increase from the first year of the partnership). Uponor provides high-quality plumbing, indoor climate and infrastructure solutions designed to enrich people’s lives, and water and energy conservation in order to provide comfort, health, and peace of mind. In partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota, a state resource association for Minnesota’s 30 Habitat for Humanity organizations, this program will both supply Habitat homes with fundamental building components and offer Uponor employees the opportunity to volunteer on Habitat worksites. The goal is to provide Habitat homes with efficient and affordable technology while connecting additional affiliates to Uponor’s products and solutions.
The Minnesota partnership is modeled after a partnership in Canada between Uponor, the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating (CIPH), and Habitat for Humanity Canada. This established program has supplied over 200 homes with more than $200,000 in product and support, including plumbing and radiant in-floor heating. Looking to create a similar opportunity here in the states, Uponor Community Relations Specialist Erin Woodward was connected with Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota by Rice County Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Dayna Norvold. This meeting resulted in an established partnership that is now entering year two.
“Uponor has a long history of partnering with Habitat for Humanity affiliates across the United States, as our products and systems provide homeowners with safe, comfortable, efficient and sustainable aspects that every Habitat homeowner deserves,” says Woodward. “Leveraging learnings from our Canadian partnership, our engaged workforce, and the initial year of the partnership, we have committed to another year partnering with Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota and still anticipate the possibility of creating a national partnership in the future.”
Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota agreed to continue developing program details and ensure the donation is widely distributed. Executive Director Chris Vosbeek sees the continued partnership as a wonderful opportunity for Habitat on several levels.
“Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota is truly blessed to be able to partner with Uponor once again this year,” says Vosbeek. “This continued program means that in the coming year we will be able to offset the cost of home construction in Minnesota for families in need of efficient, affordable housing. Without partners like Uponor, we would not be able to impact the hundreds of families we do every year in Minnesota. This partnership will greatly assist Habitat homebuyers in building their own home and in turn paying an affordable mortgage.”
The second year of this program will expand from the pilot of 12 Habitat offices to 17 across the state, with a savings of over $1,600 per project.
About Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota
Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota, Inc., is a statewide resource development and support organization that serves, advocates for and advances the work of Minnesota’s Habitat for Humanity affiliates to build decent, affordable housing in partnership with people in need. Habitat Minnesota was created in October of 1997 by the Minnesota Habitat affiliates it serves for the initial purpose of applying for funding and providing funders with a single contact for the distribution of resources. Since that time, Habitat Minnesota has added a range of programs to support these affiliates. For more information, visit hfhmn.org.
About Uponor Inc.
Uponor Inc. is an award-winning provider of plumbing, fire safety, radiant heating/cooling, hydronic piping and pre-insulated piping systems for residential and commercial applications. In 2016, Uponor partnered with Belkin International to form Phyn, a new intelligent water company, to revolutionize the way consumers interact with water and help solve major challenges facing the global water supply. Additionally, the company added an $18 million manufacturing annex to its North American headquarters in Apple Valley, Minnesota. Recognized for best-in-class manufacturing, sustainability, energy efficiency, safety, business growth, economic development, workplace giving and a top workplace, Uponor employs more than 700 people in North America and 3,700 worldwide.
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