[StBernard] St. Bernard and Habitat

[Westley Annis]

"Give back for the holidays Since Katrina, New Orleans Area Habitat for
Humanity (NOAHH) has become the
leading home builder in the city."

Jer: I'm leery about this organization and wonder (from observation) about
its mission. 

I can recall when "expedited" to Georgia abruptly about how it operates.
Immediately after Katrina I begged this well-know organization for
consideration about qualifying for a Habitat home. I was denied because I
was not in the "strike zoned" state although they were building habitat
homes in the small town/area. The qualifying was for minorities and believe
it or not, the builders were overwhelmingly, Caucasian doing the work.

In attempting to return early to LA, I again notified, applied, etc. and
again I was denied. Again, all I saw were homes built around the New Orleans
area and again, --minorities were selected as homeowners. 

It begs the question. The release below mentions St. Bernard Parish. Is it
reasonable to ask whether the homes included anyone of the "Caucasian
Persuasion"? Are there homes being built in da parish's neighborhoods and
does anyone know if this theory/observation is disproved?

This writer is wondering as it appears to be more of a liberal attempt (in a
social-economic target) to appease minorities (which ideally is not only
inappropriate, it is wrong to target one culture over another in large
numbers, especially if one or many are getting a home and has not been a
former homeowner?

--I'm not only confused, but am trying to understand this organization's
mission--especially if it is true that the goal is minorities over anyone
else who qualifies.

--jer--

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Here's the rest of the story regarding Camp Hope:

Give back for the holidays
Since Katrina, New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity (NOAHH) has become the
leading home builder in the city. And as of July 2007, NOAHH has built 73
houses (prior to Katrina, NOAHH built 12-14 homes per year) and an
additional 195 are under construction in Orleans, Jefferson, Plaquemines and
St. Bernard Parishes. NOAHH has gutted over 2,400 homes and more than 49,000
volunteers have come to New Orleans.
Habitat provides capital - not -charity - to partner families. Through NOAHH
program, low income families who normally wouldn't be able to secure a bank
loan are given a chance to own a home. In lieu of traditional downpayment,
Habitat Partner Families contribute 350 hours of "sweat equity" to the
building of their homes and the homes of others.
Visitors can stay at Camp Hope - located on the campus of PGT Beauregard
Middle School in St. Bernard, Louisiana - 20 miles from central business
district of New Orleans. It accommodates 600+ volunteers with a place to
sleep, recreation space, wireless internet, laundry and three meals per day
including a bag lunch for the work day.
Featured package: Camp Hope
Cost: $20/day  or $100 week
Volunteers work Tuesday - Saturday, 7:30am - 2:30pm
Volunteers pay their own way to New Orleans and for their own food and
accommodations.