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NAHB Conference Attendees Help Rebuild Katrina-Damaged Home
More than 60 people who were in New Orleans last month for NAHB’s National Green Building Conference and the Building for Boomers & Beyond: 50+ Housing Symposium volunteered to help rebuild the home of a 67-year-old woman and her 87-year-old mother that was severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina.
NAHB joined the Senior Lending Network and Rebuilding Together New Orleans, a local affiliate of the national non-profit organization, Rebuilding Together, for a special three-day community service project spread over two weekends in mid-May.
The home, owned by Hilda Levy, is in the historic St. Roch neighborhood bordering the Ninth Ward. Because of the extensive flooding, Levy and her mother were separated during the evacuation of New Orleans. Levy is now living with relatives in Florida while her mother is with relatives in Alexander, La. In addition to the flood damage, the home was also vandalized after the hurricane and a back section of the home was set on fire.
Incorporating Universal Design and Energy-Efficient Features
For the rebuild, builders, architects and other housing professionals volunteered their design knowledge and building expertise to retrofit the turn-of-the-century shotgun home with universal design and green features. When completed later this summer, the home will have a no-step entrance, wider doorways, ADA-compliant grab bars, raised countertops, comfort-height toilets, Energy Star appliances and other energy-efficient features.
“NAHB wanted to do its part to assist in the post-Katrina rebuilding effort and coordinated a volunteer effort around our two spring conferences in New Orleans,” said Joanne Theunissen, president of Howling Hammer Builders in central Michigan and chair of the Green Building Conference and NAHB’s 50+ Housing Council. “Our volunteer crews enjoyed sharing their talents with Rebuilding Together New Orleans, which has helped so many families in the area get back into their homes. The work of these volunteers will ultimately make the home age-appropriate and environmentally friendly.”
Promoting Social Responsibility and the Ethical Treatment of Seniors
The Senior Lending Network kicked off its Senior Independent Living Month from May 15 to June 15 during ceremonies at the rebuilding project. Mortgage originators affiliated with the organization are being asked to promote social responsibility and the ethical treatment of seniors and discuss the positive benefits of reverse mortgages.
“So many seniors today are living independently and the Senior Lending Network is committed to encouraging and assisting this group to continue doing so in a secure and stable living situation,” said Robert Wagner, actor and spokesperson for the Senior Lending Network. “We are so pleased to be able to join with NAHB and Rebuilding Together New Orleans.”
Ninety-Five Homes Completed and Counting
Rebuilding Together New Orleans relies on volunteer labor and corporate sponsorships to rebuild the homes of low-income, elderly and disabled residents who are still trying to return home after Hurricane Katrina. The organization has rehabilitated 95 homes since the hurricane struck. Rebuilding efforts on another 30 homes, including the Levy home, are still underway.
“The National Association of Home Builders is vital to all of us in Rebuilding Together’s rebuilding efforts, here and nationwide,” said Kristin Giselton Palmer, executive director of Rebuilding Together New Orleans. “We enjoyed NAHB's visit and were thrilled by its commitment to New Orleans as well as its willingness to highlight the issues that affect us as we rebuild our great city. The presence of NAHB’s members and the support of companies such as the Senior Lending Network is definitely being felt in New Orleans.”
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Home owner Hilda Levy arrives to see the progress. |
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Actor and Senior Living Network spokesman Robert Wagner and Hilda Levy on the front porch of her newly-painted home. |
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