Building on the Future 2018-08 * August NewsConnect
Kinder Institute: Rethinking Disaster Recovery and Mitigation Funding in the Wake of Hurricane Harvey The Kinder Institute just recently released a report that researched “how the recovery process is unfolding in the Hurricane Harveyaffected region and how the area can prevent a similar situation from happening again.” In their findings, they concluded, “The current system will be difficult to change because we have become comfortable with the status quo. Additionally, the urgency of securing broader changes fades as the trauma of disasters recede further into the past, making the task increasingly arduous as time goes by. We must persist in introducing incentives for local residents to embrace long-term flood mitigation practices, while keeping the policy debate alive nationally to fix the broken system.” Read more about the research here.
The year after We are now in retrospect about what happened in Houston a year ago. Hurricane Harvey was more than news; it changed lives forever. Like a thief in the night, unyielding torrential rains stole the foundation out from under us. Homes flooded in areas that had never flooded before. The recovery process wreaked havoc on Houstonians’ daily routine. Being displaced meant that many parents had to drive across town in rush hour so that their children could continue attending their schools. Some lost jobs because they lost their cars that insurance would not pay to replace. One by one, individual stories of loss and heartbreak surfaced like waves of sorrow. But the spirit of Houston still shined through. Not one for pity parties, the rebound was swift.
Hay acknowledged that even though areas have never flooded, that doesn’t mean the future won’t be that way. “The houses in this region need to be built with more resilience. The homes and streets need to be mitigated so the water runs away from the homes. In the future we must rebuild to a resiliency factor. At the same time, we want to build Habitat affordable homes.”
At the same time, people are discussing how to build and retain a state of resiliency. Knowing that another Harvey could be an enormous set-back, the question, “How do we move forward?” continues to bubble up. “We need to make sure that moving forward we continue to repair homes,” said Allison Hay, Executive Director of Houston Habitat for Humanity, “but renters and people who are out of their homes, need a house. We have an obligation to build more affordable homes in areas that we serve.”
Long Term recovery is 3-5 years of repairs and rebuilds. Homes that are repaired postHarvey need to be repaired with an goal of resisting rising waters for the years to come . Houston Habitat is preparing for the future to support Houston rebuilding efforts through new construction and creating neighborhoods that are more resilient to future floods.
Because Houston had an affordable housing shortage before Harvey, this weather event made the situation worse. When low income homeowners have their homes and cars flooded, recovery puts them at a severe economic disadvantage. “We don’t want families displaced because the rebuilding becomes unaffordable,” Hay continued.
Habitats mission is to build homes communities and hope. And we want to make sure we stay on the side of building up communities, not tearing them down.
MORE NEWS: Harris County Continues to Focus on Recovery and Resiliency Efforts as Hurricane Harvey’s First Year Anniversary Approaches
Many Houstonians come to Houston Habitat for Humanity to help them build a home they can afford. For low income homebuyers, the prospect of owning their own home is often unattainable. Although apartment living offers some convenient amenities, to be able to provide a better environment for their children is one of the first reasons people seek us out. No matter the reason, Houston Habitat will continue to fight for affordable housing for the hardworking low income Houstonians that don’t want a hand out, they just need a hand up
Why We Build
Help us help our hard working Houstonians achieve strength, stability and self-reliance through homeownership. By selecting a monthly tax-deductible donation, you can help them build a home. $12/month provides the paint for a child’s room — a safe space to learn and play $16/month mounts a window where a mother can watch her kids play outside
A single father with a toddler came to us to provide better security. “I work about 10 hours a day in maintenance to provide for my daughter. I seek out Houston Habitat so that I can provide my daughter with a better way of living. Our current neighborhood is not one where I want my daughter to live in. Every night, as I get home after picking up my daughter from my mom's house, there's a smell of marijuana and cigarettes all around our neighborhood. This could affect my daughter's lungs in the future. A few weeks ago, my neighbors informed me about a car theft that happened the night before. This is not the environment I want my daughter to be raised in. I want her to be able to go outside and play freely without any dangers.”
$40/month provides a bathtub and shower which are essential for a person’s well being $50/month builds a backyard patio where the family can gather and kids can enjoy the experience of having pets
donate
Sign up to attend the September Homeowner Information sessions! They are Thursday September 13th from 6:00pm to 7:30pm, and Saturday, September 15 th from 9:30am to 11:00am. Both sessions will be held at the Denver Harbor Multi-Service Center, 6402 Market Street, 2ndFloor, Room 229 For more information, go to https://houstonhabitat.org/homeowners/
Another future homeowner points out our financial training as a plus: “Houston Habitat is helping me to be more practical with my money. They have given me suggestions on how to manage my money. This is going to help me become financially responsible once I become a homeowner.” Future homeowner Essence is also looking to purchase for a similar reason: “My family is getting older and not as financially equipped to continue taking care of themselves alone, I am at the point of my life that I want to plan better for my future and make sure my money is being invested instead of going down the drain renting something that will never be my own. “ Marco and Mary want more freedom: “Having a home means that you will have no restriction from anyone; I can have family and church members visit. We can now have a bible study at home.” They have selected their address and are their way to become homeowners. “Habitat has been such a rock star at helping me self-discover the areas in my life that I need to improve on, such as budgeting without any judgment, teaching me more about the importance of my credit score and how I can prevent negative hits and little tips and tricks to keep it rising.,” said Essence. “It’s one thing to just approve someone for a house and let them drown because they don’t really understand everything that it takes to be successful. It prepares me to be knowledgeable, budget friendly, and most of all deft free! I am so eager, excited, and ready for the challenge!”
Want to be a homeowner? We believe that everyone should have a safe, affordable place to call home. To carry out our vision, we partner with individuals and families from application through construction to when the keys are handed over. By working with us from beginning to end, we can help prospective individuals prepare for the various responsibilities of homeownership, including learning about personal finances, mortgages, maintenance and upkeep of homes, and much more. Habitat’s path to homeownership is an important and in-depth process, requiring hard work, time and dedication. But this helps to ensure the long-term success of Habitat homeowners. Applicants that are interested must meet the following criteria: • • • •
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Must be a US Citizen or have permanent residency status Must be employed for one year or more Must have a need for adequate housing Must have the ability to pay for a Houston Habitat home by meeting income guidelines Must have a satisfactory credit score Must be willing to partner with Houston Habitat Find out more at https://houstonhabitat.org/homeowners/
The little [electric] engine that could… Houston Habitat got a “hand up” from Kyrish Truck Centers this month. Kyrish donated the use of one of the very first AEV Technologies, all-electric, light-duty, emission-free, utility vehicles titled in Texas. The electric vehicle will be used in a variety of ways, including shuttling workers, tools, equipment and materials between construction and repair sites. The compact vehicle will be particularly useful when working in neighborhoods like Settegast with narrow streets and limited parking.
“It’s been almost a year since Hurricane Harvey devastated Houston, yet there is still much work to be done to help our community recover.” said Houston Habitat Executive Director, Allison Hay. “Donations come in many forms and sizes, and we are grateful to our neighbors at Kyrish Truck Centers for their generosity, which allows us to do more of what we love–revitalizing existing neighborhoods and building new communities in Houston.” As a pivotal player in improving the city’s housing affordability for low- to moderate-income residents, Houston Habitat has redoubled its home repair and new home construction efforts in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. Kyrish Truck Centers, located next door to Houston Habitat’s Northeast Houston office, is the leading provider of commercial truck leasing and rental in Texas. Even though part of its Houston facility flooded during Hurricane Harvey, Kyrish opened its doors to shelter employees and neighbors during the worst days of the storm. Once the flood waters subsided, Kyrish wanted to do more to help flood recovery in this particularly hard-hit area of Northeast Houston. Recognizing Houston Habitat’s deep roots and great work in the community, Kyrish, which recently began offering the Texas-made AEV Technologies vehicles to its customers, recognized the opportunity to help the nonprofit. “We’re inspired by Houston Habitat’s construction and repair work right in our backyard and knew this vehicle would be the perfect way to support them,” said Duane Kyrish, President, Kyrish Truck Centers. “It is a gift that keeps on giving because it helps Houston Habitat serve more people and save money while also promoting a greener community for everyone to enjoy.”
Houston Habitat welcomes back Chevron for the 2018 fall builds For 21 years, Chevron USA, Inc. has been an extraordinary partner in empowering affordable homeownership and helping Houston Habitat homeowners achieve the strength, stability and independence they need to build a better life for themselves and their families. Chevron and its employees have contributed more than 100,000 service hours by approximately 3,500 employee volunteers, and approximately 3 million dollars and other valued services to our mission. Chevron is full build sponsors of 36 Houston Habitat homes, and co-sponsored builds of another 15 homes. Included in those homes were the sponsorships of Houston Habitat’s 1,000th home, and the SuperBUILD LI build in 2017. Chevron also supported the clean-up efforts during Hurricane Harvey by donating equipment vehicles of a much needed International Flatbed truck and a Manitou Manitransit Piggyback truck. Their HumanKind giving/match program where employee donations are matched by the company has accrued a life-time contribution of $56K+ to Houston Habitat.
This year, Houston Habitat is honoring Chevron with the Legacy Award. The Legacy Award is presented to group or organization that demonstrates a long standing relationship with Houston Habitat for Humanity and has been a loyal steward to the mission and vision. Chevron has made exemplary contributions and commitments to service that pay forward elements of our core principles, and we are grateful that their philanthropy and stewardship has faithfully included Houston Habitat for Humanity.
For more information about our luncheon, visit our website at https://houstonhabitat.org/luncheon/
As a result of Chevron’s support, approximately 200 low-income Houstonians, two-thirds of them children, have been empowered to achieve strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter. We welcome Chevron’s HumanKind volunteers back on the build sites in October!
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http://bit.ly/TITANRAFFLE Drawing will be held Saturday September 15th @ 9pm at Bar Boheme, 307 Fairview Street, Houston TX 77006