The morning after the storm, I arrived at the house first and waited for the Horton family. While waiting, I climbed on the roof and examined the tarps, most of which had blown off the roof. The Hortons had left in the early hours of the morning to get to Mrs. Horton’s son’s house, which was only a few blocks away. When they arrived that morning, they were visibly tired and shocked. We entered the house together and were horrified by the destruction.
We sloshed through ankle-deep water, around ceiling tiles that had collapsed. The ceiling above the kitchen had collapsed, spilling insulation all over appliances, counter, and floor in large clumps that looked like dirty white cotton. Insulation and sheetrock were everywhere and water was almost an inch deep on the floor. Water was still pouring through large cracks in the ceiling in the sitting room, despite the fact that it was a sunny day outside. A six-foot by six-foot section of the ceiling had collapsed in the back bedroom onto the bed and the floor beside it. The bed was covered with the disgusting blown insulation, and picture frames of nephews and friends were covered with soot and debris.
I shuddered to think what it would have been like to be in bed and hear the ceiling creak and crack before it finally gave under the pressure of the water. All the electrical fixtures on the ceiling had shorted out, and the circuit breaker was immediately switched off for fear of sparks or blown light bulbs.
For the first week following the storm, I made daily trips to the house, before class, and at night. Appeals for volunteers in the first week resulted in lots of hands during the most chaotic time. So much needed to be done that it was often difficult to direct and survey the work in parts of the house. The community responded with great compassion and concern and many volunteers gave their time without me even knowing their name. To all I say a long overdue, Thank You.
Had the wood on the roof been better, or had better insulation been installed then there would never have been a problem, but unfortunately many new homes are built with cheap supplies that cut corners, resulting in huge problems down the road. Junior Sara Hudgins noted that “We put on a new roof, but we know that in the next three years more work will be needed in the foundation, walls, etc. It is a big problem the way houses are made.”
This practice is becoming a serious problem in our community. After World War II, expansion in the United States was on the rise. In the 20-year period following the war, many homes were built as the future baby boomer generation prepared for their future. Inequalities that exist now existed then and resulted in homes built less efficiently for those that were not able to afford the standard materials necessary.
These homes are now falling apart. The amount of homes needing serious repair is on the rise and will only increase in the coming years, the result being enormous financial problems and desperate housing shortages until replacements can be created. Looking at the age, location, and the actual materials that have been used to construct many of the homes that we have already repaired confirms my suspicions that these trends will become more visible in the next few years.
Please read next week to learn about the ending of HOME project, and the beginning of a new one.
Editor’s note: This weekend is Habitat for Humanity’s Collegiate Challenge. Students from all over will be coming to work in the Triad Join us Saturday, March 17, at 8:00 a.m. or noon in the back of Founders to go out to the site. Questions: Contact Lyndsay at x3907.