Katrina Response Task Force
Hurricane Katrina was the costliest and one of the deadliest hurricanes in the history of the United States. Due to its sheer size, Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast as far as 100 miles (160 km) from the storm's center. The storm surge caused severe and catastrophic damage along the Gulf coast, devastating the cities of Mobile, Alabama, Waveland and Biloxi/Gulfport in Mississippi, and New Orleans and other towns in Louisiana. Levees separating Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans were breached by the surge, ultimately flooding 80% of the city and many areas of neighboring parishes for weeks. Severe wind damage was reported well inland.
At least 1,836 people lost their lives in Hurricane Katrina and in the subsequent floods, making it the deadliest U.S. hurricane since the 1928 Okeechobee Hurricane. The storm is estimated to have been responsible for $81.2 billion (2005 U.S. dollars) in damage, making it the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history.
Work, Worship, Witness
The All Saints' Katrina Response Task Force sponsors outreach trips, hosts educational events and recently created a video of their outreach efforts.
A Letter to All Saints' from Jericho Road Episcopal Housing Initiative, New Orleans
During our October 2007 ministry trip to New Orleans, we were priviliged to work with Jericho Road Episcopal Housing Initiative for the very first time. We are very impressed with Jericho Road's vision, productivity, and community-advocacy work to build affordable housing. Read on to learn why.
--Joey Sylvester, Katrina Task Force
Dear volunteers,
I wanted to personally offer this message, that was shared from Brad Powers, Executive Director for Jericho Road, in our monthly email newsletter, to you . . .
"I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks to you for contributing time, sweat equity and financial support to Jericho Road. Because of you, Jericho Road has become one of the most trusted community-based, affordable home developers in New Orleans.
Since the first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina - when our first house was set - Jericho Road has developed 16 new homes and completed surveying, lot clearing and site planning on 40 more sites. We are building the highest quality, lowest cost, three bedroom two bath houses in New Orleans - priced at $119,000.
We continue to talk to potential homebuyers by the dozens and direct them in ways to work toward homeownership. So may people are excited about the opportunities that Jericho Road presents.
The City of New Orleans has demonstrated its confidence in Jericho Road in many ways. Jericho Road and the City of New Orleans have successfully partnered with regards to the adjudicated land program. The City has also demonstrated its confidence in Jericho Road by awarding $280,000 to Jericho Road for soft second programs, making home-ownership possible for more New Orleans families. We look forward to a cooperative and productive relationship with the City of New Orleans in 2008 as well.
Jericho Road has received grants from Deutsche Bank, Trinity Wall Street, Louisiana Recovery Authority, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas as well as individual donations from all over the country! On the horizon, we hope to partner with the Greater New Orleans Foundation and The Interfaith Disaster Recovery Finance Fund, lead by the Jewish Funds for Justice.
We are proud of our work in bringing greater accessibility to our homes through the adoption and implementation of universal design. For our efforts we were awarded the 2007 Agency Champion Award from the Louisiana Assistive Technology Access Network (LATAN).
Further, by utilizing cutting-edge energy saving techniques, such as spray insulating the entire envelope of the house, we are aiming to reduce energy costs for our clients.
As the New Year begins, I am excited to accept the kind invitation of Loyola Law School to participate on a national panel. My focus is to share Jericho Road's experiences of the legal challenges associated with securing adjudicated and abandoned properties.
Never losing site of community involvement, we will participate this summer in the Community Resident Leadership program sponsored by Neighborworks America. As part of their Gulf Coast Training, Jericho Road will lead a New Orleans team of community and housing activists in June of 2008.
And finally, among one of the most exciting and important projects this year is our efforts to clean up a 'brownfield' the size of a full city block.
This site, in the midst of our target area, was once a garbage incinerator.
Jericho Road will be working closely with city, state and federal officials to correct this environmental injustice and develop housing for low income families and individuals.
As you can see, we have hit the ground running in 2008 and will continue our momentum building affordable housing that will make a greater New Orleans."
**Check out our web site at www.jerichohousing.org. If you are not receiving our email newsletters and would like to, click on the link on the front page of the web site or send me a note and I'll be sure you get on the list!
Jericho Road thanks you for your support!
Holly
Holly Heine
Director of Operations and Communications Jericho Road Episcopal Housing Initiative
For info, contact Joey Sylvester 773.761.8355 or jlsylvester@rcn.com