Habitat for Humanity houses ready for hurricane-displaced families

Published: 2006-03-23

SCHRIEVER, La. (CNS) -- Sounds of hammers pounding and saws buzzing have filled the air in the small Bayou Blue community, where the local Habitat for Humanity affiliate has been constructing 50 houses for the displaced families of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Bayou Area Habitat for Humanity, one of more than 2,000 Habitat for Humanity International affiliates, is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. The local affiliate was formed in 1996 by a small group of people in Thibodaux. The homes are built by volunteer laborers through donations of money and materials and sold at no profit. They are financed with no-interest loans and the homeowner's monthly mortgage payments are used to build more homes. In addition to a down payment and mortgage payments, homeowners are required to work 350 hours, called "sweat equity," on their own homes and on building houses for others. Homeowners, or "partner families" as Habitat calls them, are selected based on three criteria: the need for affordable housing; the ability to repay the no-interest, no-profit loan; and the willingness to be a partner by working on their own house and the houses of others.

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