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8 | TH E M R EP O RT EXPOSURE Industry, Government Volunteers Come Together for Cause Dallas, TX // July 22, 2017 O rganizations from across the industry came together in July for a good cause. Earlier this summer, volunteers from Altisource, Fannie Mae, and U.S. Bank joined in Habitat for Humanity efforts to give one family its American Dream. Altisource, a provider of mortgage and real estate marketplace solutions, has been a sponsor of Habitat for Humanity since 2016. "The type of changes that Habitat is making in the lives of homeowners is significant, and it goes well beyond just the numbers," said Kirk Willison, Altisource SVP of Government and Industry Relations. "It's down to the lifestyle and ability that people contribute to the civic and economic well-being of their community." According to Kent Lemon, SVP of Default Operations at U.S. Bank, Habitat for Humanity gives him and the company an opportunity to give back. "At U.S. Bank, that's what we're all about—giving back to the commu- nity," Lemon said. "In my opinion, it gives a family a fresh start, a brand- new home that they can start off with and live the American Dream, just like the rest of us." Hard-hatted volunteers sur- rounded the home, some on ladders nailing down siding, others applying weather-proofing. Within the midst of the organized chaos was the Castillo- Mondrago family, who will soon have the keys to their new home once construction is over. According to Willison, after the lot was purchased by Habitat for Humanity, an underwriting process for approval had to be completed before construction could begin. Though the loan may be structured slightly differ- ent, the family getting the home will not only make mortgage payments to Habitat for Humanity, but they will also either work on the construction of their home or help another family with theirs. "This isn't free. This isn't a home gift," Willison said. "The future homeowners spend a lot of hours themselves on labor. They pay a mort- gage when they have the opportunity. They've gone through an approval process to get into the home. Habitat makes that homeownership possible through a lot of volunteer efforts." The family opted to work on their own home's construction, and as Maria Castillo, the soon-to-be homeowner, explained what it's like to contribute directly to her future house, she began to tear up. "It's pretty emotional to have peo- ple we don't know just come and work on our property without expecting anything in return," Castillo said. "Right now, we live in a mobile home, and even though it's a clean mobile home, it's just not where we want to stay." Castillo said where her family cur- rently resides, trash flies under the house regularly and the neighborhood isn't one she feels her or her family are safe in. To her, this new home means peace of mind and tranquility. John Thibaudeau, Director of Real Estate Asset Management at Fannie Mae, said though the build is obvious- ly part of what they do at Fannie Mae in terms of supporting and promoting homeownership, the fact that they get to participate in things like Habitat for Humanity is remarkable. "For me, personally, I've always been passionate about homes and homeownership outside of my work at Fannie Mae, so to be able to come out here and participate in something that I love and that supports the mission of my company is pretty awe- some," Thibaudeau said. John Golden, Executive Director of the American Mortgage Diversity Council—an industry group focused on creating a diverse and inclusive mort- gage industry for all—was also on hand to help with the build. "I appreciate Altisource for sharing the opportunity to make a meaning- ful difference in the lives of others," Golden said. "It's efforts like this that demonstrate what the industry can do when it works together." Kirk Willison, SVP of Government and Industry Relations, Alitsource