Today the president of ARDA (Armenian Relief and Development Association) charitable foundation American Armenian philanthropist Mr. Steve Lazarian with his family, Solana Beach Deputy Mayor Mr. Joe Kellejian, Lori Governor Mr. Kocharyan, Vanadzor city Mayor Mr. Darbinian, Head of governmental commission on coordination of humanitarian aid in Armenia Mr. Ter-Simonyan and other guests participated in the official ceremony of dedication of 15 new houses built in Taron 3rd district of Vanadzor in the framework of cooperation between ARDA charitable foundation, Vanadzor city municipality and Fuller Center for Housing Armenia for families living in “domik” district. This trilateral partnership have started in 2009, combining the willingness of partners to assist families living in metal containers. The initiator was Mr. Steve Lazarian. Up to today 33 families dwelled in comfortable and new homes, and this number increased by 15 now. The families will be legal homeowners and pay back the long term, no interest, no inflation included mortgages, total the 25% of home costs. Thus the partnership makes the home costs more reasonable for low income families. The homes are built using new for Armenia technology of polystyrene foam block and local construction materials. Such homes are ecologically clean, reasonably priced and, earthquake resistant. The construction of last 15 homes started in 2010. The selected families along with the local and international volunteers worked on the homes not even knowing which one is their own until later they held a drew. Volunteer groups from USA as well as AGBU youth groups from Canada and Europe volunteered helping to build these homes. At the May 20th celebration joined a volunteers’ group visiting for 2 weeks from USA. The team leader Cynthia Erickson, an Armenian by nationality has volunteered on the same projects in 2009. Now she is back with another group to work in Lori region again. “We have built these homes and the community center for our people, fathers and children, so they can live here with love and respect“ said Mr. Stan Lazarian, Mr. Steve Lazarian’s son and ARDA board member. “This partnership supported more than 200 people and their lives have been changed forever. It is a small number compared to thousands of people that are in housing need. But any challenge is possible to overcome if there is strength, will and enthusiasm“ said Mr. Ashot Yegheiazarna, the president of the Fuller Center for Housing Armenia. May became a symbolic Victory month for Armenians -“Victory May.” This is the second year that the final stage of the project– home dedications are taking place in May. This is our little victory against poverty and homelessness. Other honorable guests will participate in the official ceremony of dedication. We hope these type of projects will continue in Armenia. There are over 1000 registered or not registered families living in metal containers in Vanadzor. Project description: ● ARDA invested 50% and provided innovative technology and expertise; ● Municipality of Vanadzor invested 25%, donated land and the unfinished construction (as the base for the 15 homes); ● Fuller Center for Housing Armenia invested 25% and provided volunteers for construction of the houses. The cost of a home is 4 900 000 drams. Armenian Relief and Development Association (ARDA), established in 1999 by the Armenian Gospel Mission to deliver humanitarian programs to poor families, at www.armeniangospelmission.org. Vanadzor municipality involved in many home improvement projects in cooperation with many organizations, at www.vanadzor.am. The Fuller Center for Housing Armenia, working to eliminate poverty housing by providing long-term, interest-free loans and by assisting with the volunteer work helping low-income families to build simple, sustainable, affordable houses and renovate their houses, at www.fullercenterarmenia.org.

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