Non-Profit Homebuilder Rebuilds Homes on Hurricane Damaged Lots in New Orleans
- By Staff Writer
- Published 08/31/2009
- Economics
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Rating:
NEW ORLEANS– It’s been four years since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, and still thousands of New Orleans families have yet to make the journey back home. They have been living in different Houston communities, many with a half of a life, a home, a property - still in New Orleans. New Orleans non-profit homebuilder, Build Now wants to connect the dots for those citizens looking to return to their neighborhoods. The organization helps pre-Katrina homeowners build new homes on their damaged lots.
Build Now finished its first home in January, bringing back the Porche family to their Lower Ninth Ward neighborhood. “After all that we’ve been through, we never thought we’d see this day come” says Debra Porche. “We’re back home today because of Build Now.”
Build Now opened its doors in the spring of 2008. Since then, the non-profit has completed work on six homes and has helped more than a dozen families return to their New Orleans neighborhoods; a feat Executive Director Tess Monaghan says has been a dream come true. “We walk clients through every step of the rebuilding process,” says Monaghan. “It’s always wonderful when everything comes together and we get to finally see these families back home.” Build Now specializes in finding financing for those who have some money to rebuild, but not quite enough. Housing counselors assist homeowners with everything from applying for ICC and HMGP elevation funding, to obtaining construction financing, to applying for zoning variances and building permits; then walk the homeowners through the process of building a new, elevated home on their lots.
Clients are able choose from a variety of custom floor plans; finding one that fits their lot size, budget, but most of all, their family’s needs. These affordable, high-quality homes range in price from $104,000 to $165,000 and reflect the style and quality of traditional New Orleans architecture. The houses come equipped with eco-friendly features including: extra large windows and ceiling fans for optimal air circulation, advanced weather sealing, attic ventilation, above-standard insulation and draft control and efficient heating and air conditioning technologies.
The homes’ ENERGYSTAR design means they use 30% less energy than standard new construction. “Our homes are compact and energy-efficient, to help you stay solvent in this troubled economy,” says Monaghan.
Anyone interested in finding out more about Build Now can visit the non-profit’s website at www.buildnownola.com. Here you can view different home floor plans. A model home is located at 5713 Elysian Fields Avenue in the Gentilly neighborhood of New Orleans. Housing counselors can be reached via phone at (504) 324-3964 or by email at mail@buildnownola.com.
Debra Porche and her family were the first to move back into the lower Ninth Ward area through the Build Now program.
Build Now finished its first home in January, bringing back the Porche family to their Lower Ninth Ward neighborhood. “After all that we’ve been through, we never thought we’d see this day come” says Debra Porche. “We’re back home today because of Build Now.”
Build Now opened its doors in the spring of 2008. Since then, the non-profit has completed work on six homes and has helped more than a dozen families return to their New Orleans neighborhoods; a feat Executive Director Tess Monaghan says has been a dream come true. “We walk clients through every step of the rebuilding process,” says Monaghan. “It’s always wonderful when everything comes together and we get to finally see these families back home.” Build Now specializes in finding financing for those who have some money to rebuild, but not quite enough. Housing counselors assist homeowners with everything from applying for ICC and HMGP elevation funding, to obtaining construction financing, to applying for zoning variances and building permits; then walk the homeowners through the process of building a new, elevated home on their lots.
Clients are able choose from a variety of custom floor plans; finding one that fits their lot size, budget, but most of all, their family’s needs. These affordable, high-quality homes range in price from $104,000 to $165,000 and reflect the style and quality of traditional New Orleans architecture. The houses come equipped with eco-friendly features including: extra large windows and ceiling fans for optimal air circulation, advanced weather sealing, attic ventilation, above-standard insulation and draft control and efficient heating and air conditioning technologies.
The homes’ ENERGYSTAR design means they use 30% less energy than standard new construction. “Our homes are compact and energy-efficient, to help you stay solvent in this troubled economy,” says Monaghan.
Anyone interested in finding out more about Build Now can visit the non-profit’s website at www.buildnownola.com. Here you can view different home floor plans. A model home is located at 5713 Elysian Fields Avenue in the Gentilly neighborhood of New Orleans. Housing counselors can be reached via phone at (504) 324-3964 or by email at mail@buildnownola.com.
Debra Porche and her family were the first to move back into the lower Ninth Ward area through the Build Now program.
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1 Response to "Non-Profit Homebuilder Rebuilds Homes on Hurricane Damaged Lots in New Orleans" 
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said this on 01 Sep 2009 2:54:30 PM MST
It's great to hear of success stories going on in New Orleans!
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