SBCR, housing partners are

‘Building on Higher Ground'

Fuller Center to build 60 houses in Shreveport

For release: November 14, 2005

Habitat for Humanity founder Millard Fuller is leading a multi-million-dollar partnership to build 60 houses in Shreveport for South Louisiana evacuees left homeless by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

"Building on Higher Ground" kicks off Dec. 12 with a blitz build - the construction of a three-bedroom house in a single day. Jim McLean, a homebuilder from Nashville, Tenn., will lead this one-day project.

Two other houses will also go up that week. These two houses will be constructed by volunteers from Habitat for Humanity of Chester County, Penn., with much of the exterior work done in Pennsylvania beforehand.

All three houses will be built in the Allendale neighborhood in the 1500 block of Clay Street, on land already owned by Shreveport-Bossier Community Renewal and just down the street from the two SBCR Allendale Friendship Houses. 

The initial Fuller Center commitment calls for 60 houses to be constructed in the coming 18 months for evacuee families. The Fuller Center will raise funding nationwide.

"We've built houses in more than 100 countries for more than one million people and I've never seen a more exciting opportunity than what I see here in Shreveport," said Fuller, who now heads The Fuller Center for Housing.

Locally, the Fuller Center will partner with Shreveport-Bossier Community Renewal, Habitat officials, the City of Shreveport and other entities on this project. Many national partners will also be involved.

"We have a chance to bring out of utter destruction something beautiful for God. Many will not return to New Orleans and they need a chance to live in housing that gives them hope," said Shreveport-Bossier Community Renewal Coordinator Mack McCarter.

 "We want this to serve as a catalyst for other groups to come in and build quality housing for local residents. The ultimate goal should be to eradicate poverty housing in Shreveport," said David Snell, vice president of programs for The Fuller Center.

Hurricane evacuees interested in the houses must meet income requirements, be able to work as a partner in the building process and be able to repay a 20-year, zero-interest loan.

Shreveport-Bossier Community Renewal is a nonprofit effort to restore safe and healthy communities through caring relationships. Founded in 1994, SBCR reaches at-risk youth through Friendship Houses built in impoverished neighborhoods, strengthens education through the Adult Renewal Academy, partners with The Fuller Center for Housing and connects caring partners who turn their neighborhoods into safe havens of friendship and support.

Contact: David Westerfield, director of communications
(318) 425-3222
davidwesterfield@sbcr.us