BUILDING / EAST BILOXI / A HOUSE FOR MYRA

This is Myra.
Myra is a single parent of two young sons, and works full time at the Grand Casino in Biloxi. She has lived in Biloxi for over 38 years, and grew up on the same street where her family now lives.  Prior to Katrina, she and her sons were renting a family home from her mother. The home received eight feet of water during the storm.  The house has been moved to another site across the street, where Myra’s brother will live in it after completing repairs.  Myra’s new house will be located on the existing property.

Myra's extended family is tight-knit. With her brother and his family living across the street, and her mother a block away, their family gathers regularly. Her house was designed to accommodate the large family with a spacious family room and a screened-in porch facing the street.

To get the building to a point that is manageable for short term unskilled volunteers, the construction managers of the East Biloxi Coordination Relief and Redevelopment Agency organized a blitz framing with several of the volunteer organizations in the area. The team of 60 volunteers were able to frame complete framing and roofing, and install the windows and doors in two days. Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia will work with the GCCDS, EBCRRA, and Myra to take her home to completion.

Myra's House is a partnership between the EBCRRA, Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia, Hope Force, and Hands On.

11/08/07 - Towards the end of the second day of blitzing, the roof is on, the house is almost completely wrapped, and the doors and windows are almost all installed.

11/07/07 - The trusses are up, and the sheathing is going on the house.

11/07/07 - The trusses are up, and the sheathing is going on the house.

11/07/07 - The walls are going up.

11/07/07 - The first wall is going up.

11/07/07 - The walls are being nailed together on the deck of the house.

10/09/07- The site is being prepared for the foundations.