MAGIC WAND MENTALITY :: PROMISES AFTER KATRINA

"BIGGER & BETTER" - PROMISES TO KATRINA VICTIMS HAVE FALLEN SHORT

THE MAGIC WAND MENTALITY:

Immediately following Katrina's enormously devastating landfall along the Mississippi Gulf coast, statements were made by government officials of all sorts, statements which sounded like they were providing hope of a fair and timely recovery and rebuilding process to ALL who had lost so much. Those statements and seemingly promises for all were projected in bold, loud, official voices for all of the country to hear. Where are those voices now?

IS MISSISSIPPI BUILDING BACK BETTER THAN BEFORE? – The August 2008 Steps Coalition Report Card

STEPS COALITION – Mission Statement : The Steps Coalition is to promote an equitable recovery and healthy, just, and sustainable communities in South Mississippi.

The Coalition shares these INTERCONNECTED VALUES:
AFFORDABLE HOUSING, COMMUNITY PRESERVATION, ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE, HUMAN RIGHTS.

SOCIAL INJUSTICE IN HOUSING ISSUES

THE THANKSGIVING and CHRISTMAS SEASONS are UPON US and the
MARCH 31, 2009 DEADLINE for REMOVAL OF MEMA COTTAGES

Coast Housing Director Gerald Blessey was appointed by Gov. Haley Barbour to help solve the ongoing Katrina housing crisis. When Blessey met with Bay St. Louis City Council, it came to light once more that the city does not like the cottages and does not want them to remain within "regular" housing neighborhoods. One councilman expressed "concern" that it seemed the MEMA rules for the cottage time line keep trying to be changed as each deadline for removal approaches.

From the very beginning of the idea of the cottages coming into play as a viable option for temporary housing to replace the constricting and formaldehyde-ridden FEMA trailers, councilmen in general have slammed the cottages as being little more than another form of trailers and said they belong in trailer parks and not where "real" houses are. This thinking is just plain prejudicial, narrow minded, and ridiculous.

One councilman wanted to know what to tell concerned citizens who are fortunate to live in a house, i.e. "real home" that a MEMA cottage was going to be next door. More unacceptable "thinking."

Another councilman said he didn't see any need for the cottages! I suppose he lives in a nice comfy house with no worries of where he will be living or what he'll be living in nor any sympathy or compassion for those who, through no fault of their own, have worried since August 29th. 2005 when everything they had was washed away.

AFFORDABLE :: SUSTAINABLE :: & RENTAL HOUSING CRISIS

GULF COAST NEWS - KATRINA RECOVERY in HANCOCK CO. as of 11-17-08

This is a report filed by Kathleen Johnson at the request from the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding and published in the very excellent, ongoing Katrina update news site, Gulf Coast News.

"Four years in the aftermath of Katrina there has been the realization that failure to provide affordable rental housing is critically impacting not only the recovery of the residents – but recovery of the region economically. Only 8.5%/60 units of the housing rental market in Hancock County is deemed affordable." - Kathleen Johnson

KATRINA RELIEF : VOLUNTEER - DONATE

KATRINA RELIEF – a disaster relief operation in Hancock County, Mississippi.


Recycling Left Over Construction Supplies

There are approximately 12,000 damaged homes in Hancock County - if after the construction was complete on 30% of those homes they found they had a left over 2x4 and they donated that piece of lumber to a volunteer construction camp - we would have 3,600 2x4's to build approximately fourteen more homes.

If you have any left over building supplies - sheetrock, lumber, shingles, plumbing and electrical supplies, paint, paint brushes, rollers, nails, screws - we desperately need those and any other construction items to help others build their homes. Call us at:
(228) 466-4630.


CONTACT:
Kathleen Johnson, Director of Katrina Relief, Director of Field Operations of the Waveland Citizens Fund a registered 501 (c) 3 non profit / Located at 700 Tabor St., Waveland, MS 39576

Email: KathleenJohnson@ReliefVolunteers.com

Phone: (228) 466-4630
Fax: (228) 466-4638
Cell: (228) 344-8616