Lowes has donated $400,000 to Habitat for Humanity to build five new homes in the tornado-ravaged areas of Tuscaloosa.

Habitat for Humanity, an organization that provides housing for those in need, has been heavily involved in rebuilding the Tuscaloosa community after the devastation of the April 27, 2011 tornado. Of the five homes set to be built from Lowes’ donation, four will go up on 7th Street East and another on 18th Avenue East in Alberta, a community in Tuscaloosa that saw some of the worst destruction.

“Habitat for Humanity of Tuscaloosa’s goal is to help improve the lives of the people affected by the storm,” Heather Poe, office manager of HFH of Tuscaloosa, said.

Many residents applied for the organization’s housing, but only five were chosen as recipients. Jessie Hill was chosen as the recipient of the house on 18th Avenue East, whose walls were raised Monday. Khyla Colvin, Brenda Anthony, Sonya Moore and Jackie Booker are the recipients of the houses on 7th Street East, and the foundations have been laid on all four of the houses. All five houses are scheduled to be finished by January 2013.

Habitat for Humanity will hold the mortgage on these homes for 30 years with zero percent interest. Therefore, the homeowners will have a more affordable payment plan than a conventional mortgage, which the Financial Forecast Center has set at 3.5 percent as of September 2012.

All of the new Habitat for Humanity houses are being built entirely by volunteers. The construction staff consists of five members. Additionally, Lowes staff members are donating their free time to help with the construction, and many local churches and business have also offered help and sponsorship.

“Lowes’ goal is very much to show presence in the community by support both throughout our stores and throughout our staff,” Matt Harbison, district commercial account specialist for Lowes, said. “I have had the pleasure of being able to meet these families, and I can tell you they are very happy to have Habitat and Lowes helping them.”

It is the goal of the two companies to provide a soundly constructed, energy efficient home for their recipients. The builders are following new codes implemented by Energy Star, a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, which helps cut down the utility cost for homeowners.

Lowes’ donation has continued an ongoing effort to help the community. Habitat for Humanity has previously constructed 19 homes in the aftermath of the tornado.

“Coach Nick Saban’s foundation, Nick’s Kids, has just completed their 14th home as part of their 14-for-14 program, while four other homes have been built by the partnership of the Major League Baseball and State Farm All Star Build Foundation,” Poe said.

Habitat for Humanity has recently acquired 30 new lots on Juanita Drive in Alberta to continue their building program.