Archstone-Smith is one of the largest owners, operators and developers of apartment communities in the nation. "Given that our business is to provide homes for thousands of families across the country, our partnership with Habitat is a natural extension of what we do best," explains R. Scot Sellers, chairman and CEO of Archstone-Smith.

Under the partnership, Archstone-Smith, its associates, business partners and vendors will contribute $1 million during the next five years to Habitat. In 2005, funds from that gift will be directed to local Habitat affiliates in Washington, DC; Northern Virginia; Boston; Atlanta; Broward County, FL; Denver; Long Beach, CA; San Diego, Oakland, CA and Seattle. Archstone-Smith associates from across the country will participate in two "Archstone-Smith Build Days" on Sept. 15 and 16, where they will help on Habitat home building in these markets.

"Our partnership with Archstone-Smith has already provided life-changing opportunities for many families," says Paul Leonard, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. "This enhanced program means that even more families will achieve the benefits of homeownership--economic opportunity, educational opportunity, greater involvement in the community and a safe, simple, decent place to live."

Archstone-Smith owns and operates high-rise and garden apartment communities concentrated in neighborhoods with high barriers to entry in Washington, DC, Southern California, San Francisco, New York City, Boston, Southeast Florida, Chicago, Seattle and Denver. The company's goal to continually upgrade the quality of its portfolio through the selective sale of assets, using proceeds to fund investments with even better growth prospects. It has two brands: Archstone and Charles E. Smith. The company owns or has ownership positions in 255 apartment communities, representing 87,520 units including some that are under construction.