Country music recording artist Keith Urban gave new meaning to the term “urban” renewal in Knoxville August 12th when he presented keys to the homeowner for the newest house on Knoxville’s “Music Row” – a Knoxville Habitat for Humanity initiative inspired and funded by the Charlie and Moll Anderson Family Foundation.

The house, at 1713 LeFlore Ave., is the second of what will be 10 homes planned for “Music Row” in Lonsdale in as many years. The houses are underwritten by The Charlie and Moll Anderson Family Foundation from an annual benefit concert featuring a country music act. Keith Urban performed at the fundraiser last fall that netted $250,000 for Knoxville Habitat for Humanity.

Homeowner Regina Olum, 44, who lives in the four-bedroom home with her son Zion and her mother, is proud that her home will be known as “The Keith Urban House.”

“I think I screamed when I found out it was Keith Urban,” said Olum. “I’m a huge country music fan – and of Keith Urban – and it is very exciting for me.”

Even though the homes are underwritten by the foundation, they are not given away. In lieu of a down payment, Olum and all homeowners in the Habitat for Humanity program are required to complete 500 hours of sweat equity, mostly in the form of budgeting and homeowner classes. In addition, the family pays a mortgage on the home at zero-percent interest over 25 to 30 years. The mortgage payments go back into building more simple, decent and affordable homes.

“We choose to support Habitat for Humanity through our foundation because of the incredible impact it makes for in the lives of the families and for our community,” said Charlie Anderson. “Families are given a hand up to move into a brand new home of their own, while neighborhoods in the city and county are replacing blighted lots with new homes that add value and revenue to city and county tax rolls."

Moll Anderson, who has been recognized with a “Women of Hope” award by the Donna Karan organization for her work on the “Music Row” project, agreed with her husband.

“Shelter is one of the most basic needs we have as human beings,” she said. “Every family deserves to have a decent place to live, to have food on the table and to be able to access to educational opportunities – and those are the things that we support through the work of our foundation.”

The Andersons have confirmed Reba McEntire as the entertainer for the private fundraiser in their home this year. McEntire has been a supporter of Habitat for Humanity for many years by donating concert proceeds and appearing in public service announcements. With this year’s event, The Charlie and Moll Anderson Family Foundation will have raised more than $1 million for Knoxville Habitat for Humanity.

“It is such a blessing for this local affiliate and for this community that we have support of such wonderful and generous people like Charlie and Moll Anderson,” said Kelle Shultz, president and CEO of Knoxville Habitat for Humanity. “It underscores the hard work that we do and enables us to continue on with our ministry.”

The Charlie and Moll Anderson Family Foundation is a philanthropic organization supporting agencies who provide services in the areas of shelter, food and education. The foundation has generously supports Second Harvest Food Bank and  Knoxville Habitat for Humanity. Additionally, the foundation supports the Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at The University of Tennessee, which is named in honor of Charlie and Moll Anderson. The foundation also established the Moll R. Anderson Scholarship Endowment to provide scholarships for single parents and childcare for young children through the Boys and Girls Clubs.