NAHB and Senior Lending Network partner with Rebuilding Together New Orleans for work on damaged homeMortgagePress.comNAHMB, Senior Lending Network, Rebuilding Together New Orleans, National Green Building Conference, Robert Wagner
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the Senior
Lending Network recently joined forces with Rebuilding Together New
Orleans to renovate a home severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina.
Volunteers at NAHB's National Green Building Conference and
Building for Boomers & Beyond: 50+ Housing Symposium
participated in a three-day community service project in mid-May to
rebuild the home of a 67-year-old woman and her elderly mother, who
were both displaced by Katrina.
Builders, architects and other housing professionals volunteered
their design knowledge and expertise to retrofit the
turn-of-the-century shotgun home with universal design and green
features. When completed this summer, the home will include a
no-step entrance, wider doorways, ADA-compliant grab bars, raised
countertops, comfort-height toilets, ENERGY STAR appliances and
other energy-efficient features.
"With two conferences scheduled in New Orleans this spring, NAHB
wanted to do its part to assist in the post-Katrina rebuilding
effort," said Joanne Theunissen, a small-volume custom builder from
central Michigan and chair of the Green Building Conference and
NAHB's 50+ Housing Council. "Our volunteer crews enjoyed sharing
their talents with Rebuilding Together New Orleans, which has
helped so many families in the area get back into their homes. The
work of these volunteers will ultimately make the home
age-appropriate and environmentally friendly."
The Senior Lending Network supported the community service
project, which served as the organizations kick-off for its Senior
Independent Living Month from May 15 to June 15. All mortgage
originators affiliated with the Senior Lending Network will be
asked to promote social responsibility and the ethical treatment of
seniors and discuss the positive benefits of reverse mortgages.
"So many seniors today are living independently and the Senior
Lending Network is committed to encouraging and assisting this
group to continue doing so in a secure and stable living
situation," said Robert Wagner, legendary actor and spokesperson
for the Senior Lending Network. "We are so pleased to be able to
join with NAHB and Rebuilding Together New Orleans. This is a great
way for us to kick off our Senior Independent Living Month."
Both NAHB and the Senior Lending Network enjoyed playing a role
in assisting Rebuilding Together New Orleans, a local affiliate of
the national non-profit organization, Rebuilding Together, Inc. By
utilizing volunteer labor and corporate sponsorship, Rebuilding
Together New Orleans is able to rebuild the homes of low-income,
elderly and disabled residents who are still trying to return home.
Since Katrina, the organization has completely rehabilitated 95
homes, with another 30 in progress.
"The National Association of Home Builders is vital to all of us
in Rebuilding Togethers rebuilding efforts, here and nationwide,"
said Kristin Giselton Palmer, executive director of Rebuilding
Together New Orleans. "We enjoyed NAHB's visit and were thrilled by
its commitment to New Orleans as well as its willingness to
highlight the issues that affect us as we rebuild our great city.
The presence of NAHB's members and the support of companies such as
the Senior Lending Network is definitely being felt in New
Orleans."
The community service project was held prior to the 10th annual
National NAHB Green Building Conference, held earlier this month in
New Orleans, and NAHB's Building for Boomers & Beyond: 50+
Housing Symposium. Presented by the NAHB 50+ Housing Council, the
Symposium in the premier education and networking event for
industry professionals who serve the growing 50+ housing
market.
For more information, visit www.nahb.com or www.seniorlendingnetwork.com.
