Habitat for Humanity affiliate ends cooperation with Planned Parenthood

Jun 4, 2008 / 21:51 pm

A Florida Habitat for Humanity affiliate has ceased to cooperate with Planned Parenthood’s attempt to build a new abortion facility in Sarasota, Florida.

Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion provider, wanted to open an abortion clinic in Sarasota, but due to zoning ordinances they were unable to do so. The obstacle seemed to have been overcome when Habitat for Humanity Sarasota agreed to purchase a Planned Parenthood property for $10 and to build housing on part of it. 

The agreement would have bypassed city requirements preventing Planned Parenthood from obtaining an occupancy permit.  City ordinances required a multifamily “liner” building to be constructed at the back of the property before a clinic could be opened at the front.

On Wednesday morning the American Life League (ALL) reportedly was informed that Board of Directors of Habitat for Humanity of Sarasota, Inc., on Tuesday night voted to withdraw from the agreement.

Writing in a press release, ALL vice president Jim Sedlak said ALL was “extremely pleased” with the board’s decision.

“Organizations must realize that associating themselves with Planned Parenthood – operators of the nation’s largest abortion chain – will be viewed negatively by many good people in this country. Planned Parenthood is a controversial organization and that controversy will transfer to any group associated with Planned Parenthood.”

Sedlak said that ALL had worked with Sarasota-area pro-lifers to publicize the agreement.  He said this resulted in a “large number” of phone calls to local and international Habitat for Humanity offices.