BUILDING / EAST BILOXI / A HOUSE FOR DEBRA

This is Debra
Ms. Debra’s home on Bellman Street in Biloxi, MS was flooded with six feet of water during the storm surge of Hurricane Katrina. Severely damaged and past salvaging, her home was demolished, and her lot was cleared.

Since the storm, Debra has been living in a neighboring town with her two sisters, who were also displaced from their homes. Debra is anxious to return to East Biloxi and rebuild her home. The home will be for herself and her son, Dimitrius, but she hopes her sisters will stay or visit with her often.

The plan for Debra’s home has a simple layout with living spaces on the south of the house and bedrooms to the north. A special feature of this house design is a vaulted ceiling in the living room and kitchen. The added height makes the room feel larger and aids in air circulation.

Volunteers begin siding the house.

View of front elevation.

The roof is complete and the exterior walls are ready for siding.

The walls of the house are framed and sheathed in two days.

Volunteers begin framing the floors.

Concrete blocks are set for the home’s foundation.