Non-profit builders’ issues resolved

Published 12:00 am Friday, July 22, 2005

South Hampton Roads Habitat for Humanity Inc. and Angela Koncz, the former Suffolk Habitat project manager, ironed out their differences behind closed doors Thursday.

After more than two hours in mediation, Koncz and John Morgan, executive director for South Hampton Roads, emerged from Suffolk Circuit Court, shaking hands and wishing one another well with future building endeavors.

Neither Koncz, who started a competing nonprofit group, Building Suffolk Inc., nor Morgan would discuss terms of the agreement.

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&uot;We are satisfied with the outcome,&uot; said Morgan.

The South Hampton Roads organization – which oversees funding of Habitat projects under construction throughout the region – severed its relationship with Koncz in May after learning about Building Suffolk.

The matter landed in court last month after Habitat filed an injunction asking Koncz to stop using Habitat’s name and resolve questions over the Suffolk chapter’s spring Hearts and Hammers fundraiser.

Now both organizations are looking ahead, with plans under way to providing much-needed affordable housing in Suffolk.

Suffolk Build will be moving ahead with tapping a board of directors in coming weeks, Koncz said. She could not be reached for additional comments on Thursday.

Meanwhile, volunteers should be finished building a Habitat house on Charles Street within the next three weeks, Morgan said.

The organization has recently acquired a lot on 5th Street for another house and is continuing to raise money and recruit volunteers in Suffolk, he said.

&uot;We are going to continue building in Suffolk like we always have,&uot; said Morgan. &uot;This has never been about one of the agencies squeezing the other out.

&uot;We feel that there is room for both of us to operate in Suffolk.&uot;

allison.williams@suffolknewsherald.com