Habitat for Humanity abandons deal with abortionists

Sarasota's Habitat for Humanity advertisement

Habitat for Humanity is abandoning its plan to help Planned Parenthood open a 3-story, $8-million abortion facility in the Rosemary district of Sarasota, Fla., after the organization was inundated with phone calls and e-mail from concerned people across the country.

Jim Sedlak, vice president of American Life League, told WND he is pleased with a Habitat for Humanity board vote to disengage from the agreement.

"We are gratified that the Sarasota Habitat has voted to back out of the deal with Planned Parenthood," he said. "We are anxious to see what the city does at its next council meeting and if it rescinds approval of Planned Parenthood changing the original understanding with the city on how and when it can get an occupancy permit."

The abortion provider's building plans came to a halt when zoning ordinances prohibited Planned Parenthood from opening a facility on land the city had designated for a multifamily "liner." According to the agreement, Habitat for Humanity would purchase the property for $10 and construct homes in the back portion. Planned Parenthood would then open a multi-million dollar facility at the front in an arrangement that would ensure the organization could obtain an occupancy permit from the city.

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Sedlak said he was disheartened to hear that the nonprofit Christian housing ministry would consider partnering with the abortion provider.

"We were outraged that a good organization like Habitat for Humanity would willingly partner with Planned Parenthood – the nation's largest abortion chain," he said. "The original deal would have allowed Planned Parenthood to get an occupancy permit for its new abortion facility. Therefore, Habitat would be directly helping to open a place that kills babies."

The abortion provider will now need to find another buyer or develop the property itself. Another purchaser is reportedly interested in making an agreement with the organization. The city commission is expected to have a second hearing on the matter on June 16.

When WND contacted the Sarasota affiliate, a representative identified herself as Sue and said, "Habitat never was going to be involved with the clinic. There was a donation of land."

Organization representatives offered no further comments.

Sedlak said the vote to desert the agreement was a result of pressure from the public.

"Our information was that, on the night of the board meeting, two people from Habitat International were at the meeting letting them know the international organization had been receiving a large number of calls and e-mails, and that this was not a good thing," he said. "Habitat would never have backed out of the deal if it did not receive hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of phone calls objecting to the arrangement with Planned Parenthood."

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