During the past several weeks the role sub-prime mortgages and the lure of homeownership have played in the downturn of the economy has been analyzed heavily in the media. Newsweek alone ran two articles in its Oct. 20 issue, "End of the Ownership Society" and "The Trouble with Homeownership." For years it has been said that renting is like throwing money away, and now, that tenet is being questioned.

As I work for Habitat for Humanity of Orange County, a nonprofit whose sole mission is to offer homeownership to local families who otherwise could not afford a home, I take more than a passing interest in this paradigm shift. Yet I do not believe this is the end of the American Dream; responsible homeownership will still build wealth and change lives for the better. This is what Habitat offers.

The Habitat model of responsible homeownership is time-tested. More than 170 Habitat homeowners are building equity in their simple, well-built, and attractive homes. In addition, they have the opportunity to use the money they would have spent on high rent to pursue more education or pay for their other necessary expenses more comfortably.

Next year Habitat for Humanity of Orange County will celebrate its 25th anniversary and, with your help, begin construction of a neighborhood of 50 affordable and green-certified homes within the Rogers Road community in Chapel Hill. Fifty families will have the opportunity to leave housing that is overcrowded, or poorly ventilated, or simply too expensive, and begin building better lives for themselves and their families. Building this new neighborhood, Phoenix Place, will be exciting as well as a challenge -- one which will require your support.

The Stewards Fund of Raleigh acknowledges this is a difficult economic time for most of us; yet they know great generosity often occurs during hard times. Between now and Jan. 31, 2009, The Stewards Fund will match dollar-for-dollar, up to $60,000, any gift to Habitat for Humanity of Orange County from first-time donors or any increased gifts from current Habitat donors. But there is a catch: the challenge is all-or-nothing. If Habitat falls short of raising $60,000, it will not receive one penny. Funds raised during this challenge will support the construction of the roads and public utilities in Phoenix Place.

Responsible homeownership will always be critical to our personal financial health and to the health of our community and it deserves our support. Please send your new or increased contribution to Habitat today: 1829 E. Franklin St. Suite 1200B Chapel Hill, NC 27514 or visit our website www.orangehabitat.org to make a secure online donation. Thank you.

Anne Marie-Vanaman is the development director for Habitat for Humanity of Orange County. She can be reached at 932-7077 or amvanaman@orangehabitat.org