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Lafayette Habitat for Humanity
Lafayette and
surrounding areas
Where?: Lafayette Habitat
for Humanity is located at 714 Johnston Street
in Lafayette.
What?: Lafayette Habitat
for Humanity is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International,
whose mission is to make simple decent housing available for all God’s
people. This is done by a partnership between Habitat, the family that
is seeking decent housing they can afford, community resources,
including churches, volunteers and both local and national suppliers.
Home ownership is earned through sweat equity and the repayment of the
cost of the house with an interest free loan amortized over 20-25
years. Local affiliates are encouraged to contribute a portion of their
income to the international building program. Members of Saint Barnabas
have been closely involved since the beginning of the local HFH which
was initiated in 1990 through the Lafayette Board of Realtors. The
first house was built in 1991. Habitat has also opened a RESTORE to
provide building supplies donated by builders and home remodelers.
There is a manager and volunteers assist with collecting and selling
the items in the store. Funds are then recycled in the home building
program as are the mortgage payments from home owners. RESTORE is
located at 209 E. Pinhook Road.
Why?: Home ownership is
out of reach to those with very limited income. By assisting those who
are willing to partner with Habitat in the building of their own and
others homes they are able to obtain a home where the cost remains
fairly stable. By giving them control over where they live and what
they pay to own a home it frees them from higher rent for substandard
housing. Participation in earning and building their home also provides
a sense of accomplishment and helps stabilize their lives.
When?: Habitat has
committees that work to prepare families and volunteers year round.
Construction of homes occurs years round during the week and on
Saturdays. Committee work is done as scheduled.
Who?: The Executive
Director is Melinda Taylor and Sharon Harris is the office manager.
Because of the severity of hurricane damage beginning in 2005, large
sums of money have been made available to build homes for those
displaced. Building on Faith is an initiative to bring churches
together to jointly fund and construct a home or homes. Saint Barnabas
has been a participator in this activity for
many years and has supported it with both funds and labor.
September 2008: $3000
Monetary donation given to Building on Faith Program. A total of 15
members participated in building or providing food for workers.
Additional work days will be planned.
December 2007: $1000 As
one of four Outreach recipients of grants given in 2007, funds were
used towards the Building on Faith event in which Saint Barnabas
volunteers joined other church congregations to work on two houses on
Gilman Road in Lafayette. Saint Barnabas volunteers also cooked for
those working on the houses. |
