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Immediately after Hurricane Katrina and then after Hurricane Rita, Habitat for Humanity International’s Operation Home Delivery (OHD) program began putting plans in place to help low-income families in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and Alabama affected by the storms build homes as part of the region’s long-term reconstruction. By the summer of 2007, the organization expects to have built 1,000 houses along the Gulf. Habitat for Humanity’s OHD has completed nearly 400 homes with the help of more than 14,000 volunteers from across the United States and Canada. For more information about Habitat’s efforts on the international level, visit www.habitat.org. Locally, over the last year, more than 250 volunteers – along with staff and AmeriCorps members – participated in OHD efforts through Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity to build 16 homes. These homes were built through the tremendous support of Andersen Corporation, Residential Capital Corporation (ResCap), Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, and Wells Fargo. Additionally, TCHFH received over $400,000 in cash contributions from 245 donors for hurricane relief. Of this amount, four donors contributed almost three-quarters of the total. BancMidwest led the way, giving $100,000. Three other top donors include the Hugh J. Andersen Foundation, ResCap, and the Minnesota Twins Community Fund. “We are grateful for the outpouring of support we have received from donors and volunteers after the devastating hurricanes,” said Susan Haigh, president of TCHFH. Of the homes built, four were sent by barge to Slidell, LA in October, 2005. A fifth home is waiting in storage until Slidell has property ready to receive the house. Last spring, the affiliate assembled an additional 11 homes at its Northeast Minneapolis warehouse - six three-bedroom homes and five four-bedroom homes. These 11 “homes in a box” were sent to the Habitat for Humanity affiliate in Mobile, Alabama, fulfilling their entire initial order for homes. The homes arrived in time for a Blitz Build that began May 8. “Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity provided pre-built houses for our largest Blitz Build to date. Eleven families directly benefited, and many more in their lives, from this generous gesture,” said Brenda Carson-Lawless, Executive Director for Habitat for Humanity in Mobile County. Much of the national hurricane relief has been concentrated in and around New Orleans, yet many communities along the gulf coast also experienced significant devastation. Jim Nelson, Construction Manager for Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, visited the Gulf region earlier this summer. Click here to read his story and view photos from the trip. “In the coming year, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity is committed to working closely with the Mobile affiliate, addressing the need for safe, decent and affordable housing in their hurricane ravaged community,” said Haigh. “We are so honored to have entered into this partnership with the Twin Cities Affiliate. We are still building, and still need volunteers to help make simple, decent, affordable housing a reality for residents of Mobile County, particularly in the wake of Hurricane Katrina,” said Carson-Lawless. Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity is now taking applications for a special "Blitz Build" trip to Mobile, Ala. Visit the Mobile Trip page to read more details. |
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita highlighted to the world the massive poverty that exists in the Gulf Coast states and the overwhelming need for simple, decent housing among much of the population. As the nation approaches the first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity (TCHFH) makes preparations for year two of Operation Home Delivery as part of its on-going commitment to relief efforts.
