On Feb. 22, longtime lower 9th Ward residents Josephine Butler and Gwendolyn Guice became the first to move into new homes constructed in the area, among the hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina. They were greeted by a host of city officials, community leaders and dignitaries like Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Congressman Al Green and Congressman William Jefferson at the dedication ceremony where they received keys to their new homes.
Butler and Guice, both ACORN members, have been next-door neighbors for 25 years and are moving into two storm-resistant homes thanks to a project coordinated by ACORN Housing with financing underwritten by Countrywide Bank. Professors at LSU School of Architecture developed the new hurricane-resistant, energy-efficient design for affordable housing and worked with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to make the Delery Street a demonstration project.
Butler’s home was completely destroyed by floodwaters in the aftermath of Katrina, while Guice’s home received more than 50 percent damage and was later demolished. The two women were emotional as they lead tours of their new homes that can withstand 160 mph wind velocity. "I can’t stop boohooing," said Guice, who added she was "overwhelmed" by the support and final outcome.
This project is the first step toward larger rebuilding efforts being undertaken by ACORN Housing which is planning to renovate 150 adjudicated properties awarded by the City of New Orleans into affordable housing.
"Josephine and Gwendolyn are just two of the many longtime residents of the Lower 9th Ward who plan to rebuild their homes there. I've heard from many evacuees who say they want to return to the neighborhood where they raised their children and an area they are proud to call home," said Ken Bacon, Fannie Mae's Executive Vice President of Housing and Community Development.
LSU spokesperson Marsha R. Cuddeback, said, "The project represents an extraordinary tale of grassroots reconstruction, collaborative learning among diverse stakeholders, the capacity of partnerships to serve as a catalyst for positive change."
Volunteers from the Delta Corps, Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge and the Canadian Auto Workers union helped build the two homes. Other organizations that contributed JPMorgan Chase Bank, Fannie Mae, and ARC Construction.
The Rev. Leonard Lucas Jr. conducted the blessing of the homes at this landmark event.
Lucas said, "ACORN took a stand initially to say, ‘stay in your homes. You can come back to the lower 9th Ward.’ ACORN made the city bring in water, turn on the lights and made the city say ‘yes’ when the city said, ‘no.’ "
