On National Day of Service, Habitat leaders join volunteers in Houston for cleanup of Hurricane Harvey-ravaged neighborhood
HOUSTON (Sept. 11, 2017)—Habitat for Humanity volunteers are working on this National Day of Service and Remembrance, helping homeowners in Houston as they clean up and prepare for repairs. Habitat for Humanity International CEO Jonathan Reckford joined Houston Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Allison Hay and about 100 volunteers today to work in flood-damaged homes in northeast Houston.
The work comes as Habitat monitors the path of Hurricane Irma and readies its Habitat Hammers Back hurricane response initiative to aid homeowners in Florida and other affected areas.
Additional photos of today’s cleanup work in Houston are available online. Photos may be credited to Habitat for Humanity International.
“As our hearts ache for those in the path of Hurricane Irma, our hands are hard at work in Houston,” Reckford said. “Families in Texas and Florida will get back on their feet, and Habitat for Humanity will be working alongside them every step of the way.”
“Volunteers are the backbone of Habitat’s work, and Habitat will need thousands of them to help Houston recover,” Hay said. “On this National Day of Service, we thank all our volunteers hard at work in Houston, as well as all those who have raised their hands across the nation to offer their support.”
In addition to Houston, there are about 30 local Habitat for Humanity offices throughout the parts of southeast Texas affected by Hurricane Harvey. With their help, Habitat for Humanity International is assessing the shelter and housing needs in areas impacted by the hurricane and developing response options.
As Hurricane Irma moves up Florida, Habitat for Humanity is expanding its hurricane recovery response. Through the Habitat Hammers Back initiative, Habitat for Humanity has positioned response equipment and is working with its local offices in Irma’s path to respond.
In addition to long-term housing repair and construction, Habitat’s response includes organizing volunteers and resources to help with the cleanup of homes damaged by wind and flood waters. Construction plans will be determined after evaluations and will depend on the level of support received from donors, volunteers, corporate partners and other community organizations.
More information on Habitat’s hurricane response effort can be found at habitat.org/hurricanes.
About Habitat for Humanity
Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort on a community farm in southern Georgia. The Christian housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in more than 1,300 communities throughout the U.S. and in more than 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitat.org.