[StBernard] Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding Doug O' Dell Discusses Permanent Housing Solutions with St. Bernard Project

[Westley Annis]

Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding Doug O' Dell Discusses
Permanent Housing Solutions with St. Bernard Project 
Washington, D.C. th Today, Douglas O'Dell, federal coordinator for Gulf
Coast Rebuilding, met with founders of the St. Bernard Project to discuss
cost-effective rebuilding models employed by the non-profit organization and
several others in the Gulf Coast region. The briefing provided an
opportunity for St. Bernard Project co-founders to detail actions taken in
successfully rebuilding 121 homes in St. Bernard Parish and identifying
critical elements to future success.  

 

(Media-Newswire.com) - Washington, D.C. - Today, Douglas O'Dell, federal
coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding, met with founders of the St. Bernard
Project to discuss cost-effective rebuilding models employed by the
non-profit organization and several others in the Gulf Coast region. The
briefing provided an opportunity for St. Bernard Project co-founders to
detail actions taken in successfully rebuilding 121 homes in St. Bernard
Parish and identifying critical elements to future success. The St. Bernard
Project currently is coordinating more than 200 volunteers involved in the
rebuilding of 27 homes throughout the parish.

"Faith-based and community organizations are the front-line defense in the
long-term rebuilding process of the Gulf Coast region and they continue to
remove barriers to housing and support services," stated General O'Dell.
"Groups like the St. Bernard Project, Habitat for Humanity, and Catholic
Charities are results-oriented and the insight they impart is invaluable and
better informs policy and funding decisions at all levels of government. We
will continue to ensure their voice is actively represented in the policy
process."

The St. Bernard Project representatives summarized the public and private
funding sources utilized to providing safe, sustainable housing for those
who need it most; discussed the key role volunteers play in the success of
their efforts; and touched on the critical mental health care needs of the
population served. The organization was started in March 2006 by four
volunteers who went to St. Bernard Parish to do relief work and were
inspired to create an organization dedicated to providing vital resources
and support to the St. Bernard community in a seamless and timely manner.

The Office of the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding has been
engaged in facilitating and streamlining the recovery effort, providing key
federal support and resources to state and local leaders, as well as
reinforcing the federal government's commitment to the people of the Gulf
Coast.

www.dhs.gov/gulfcoastrebuild