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More Families Move into Habitat for Humanity Homes

Laila Morcos,

May 12, 2008

It's a very short block in the Hollygrove area, but soon it will be thriving. 14 families will move into their brand new homes, thanks to more than 700 volunteers and the efforts of Habitat for Humanity. And the organizations not about to stop .. they're continuing and celebrating a milestone .. 25 years of service in New Orleans.

Five year-old Curtis Elmore has his tools, and he's ready. He's ready to help his mom Robyn Williams, future stepdad Levon Forest and sister Amariah finish their new Habitat for Humanity home on Ferry Place in the Hollygrove area. "I'm very excited," says Robyn. Robyn and Levone are engaged -- ready to start fresh for their future. "I was raised in a high crime area so this will be a blessing for me to raise my children in a beautiful neighborhood that I never had," Robyn says.

But all this wouldn't have been possible without Bob Marye and the 700 Hhabitat for Humanity volunteers in town this week. "I'm passionate about my job. We have these incredible volunteers, incredible sponsors and these partner families. They're investing so much and it takes a lot of courage to do it." There are seven home dedications today, but this week marks 25 years of Habitat service in the Metro area. Bob says, 'These houses they will be purchasing for half of what they cost to rent and they end up being homeowners rebuilding a neighborhood."

This block will be home to 14 families .. including Robyn, Levone, Curtis, and Amariah. Although a couple of the homes on the block are already complete, families can't move in quite yet. They still have to repair the sewer line. That should take a couple of months." But everyone is expected to be in about a year.

For Robyn and Levone, their new home is more than just a great wedding gift. It's a place they worked hard for. "This is amazing. I am truly blessed."

In celebration of 25 years of the New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity service in New Orleans, the volunteers will join in the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project. This week, there's a blitz build. Volunteers will blitz build 10 homes, finish and dedicate 25 homes and start another 25 homes in different areas of the city. Wednesday, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter will be here to mark the occasion. To date .. Habitat has built more than 200 homes for low income families in the area.