Not enough skilled labor to rebuild homes

[questioner]

Who is going to rebuild and remodel all the damaged homes in the Gulf Coast?

In my hometown it is almost impossible to find someone who will do home improvements. Many are booked up for almost a year. Home remodeling involved specific skills that most people do not have.

Almost 250,000 homes and buildings will need to be rebuilt or remodeled (due to storm damage) in the Gulf Coast. How many SKILLED workers will be available to do all this work? How many will be trustworthy and reliable? How many will really do a good job? Where will the workers rebuilding the gulf coast live with most of the housing stock destroyed?

I mentioned to a friend who does home construction here in Oregon that there will be alot of work in LA, MS and AL. He said he has enough work in Oregon to keep him working 60 hours a week for the next 10 years, why would he move down south and live in a tent?

[MrsKreamer]

I think St. Tammany and Wasington parishes will be suppling most of the workforce for this. Before all this happened these parishes were booming. People moving from the southshore to the northshore and building their dream home. Lots of home building construction companies up there. One of the attnys I work for has a side construction business in Mandeville. He can probably retire on the business this will generate for him.

[ducklite]

First off, you do not need "skilled labor" to build a home. All that is required is a skilled foreman, and people with the will to get it done.

I back this statement up by asking you to look at the model that Habaitat for Humanity has built. The people who build Habitat homes are the homeowners, future homeowners, and interested peopel from the community. It is a labor of love intended to help people move into decent, affordable housing.

There is no reason that tens of thousands of jobs couldn't be created using a pyramid effect to help the citizens of the Gulf coast rebuild their communities, one home at a time.

Anne

[questioner]

So many people I talk to who have had their home worked on (for remodeling or repairs after storm damages) have incredible horror stories.

Things were put in backwards
The job was unfinished
They used the wrong materials
Hours were padded
etc, etc.

The number one consumer complaint is with home construction and remodeling. Alot of the people doing this kind of work are dishonest and really do not know what they are doing.

This was in an area without the problems of the Gulf Coast.

The reconstruction of the Gulf Coast will be more tragic than the Hurricane!

[MrsKreamer]

First off, you do not need "skilled labor" to build a home. All that is required is a skilled foreman, and people with the will to get it done.

I back this statement up by asking you to look at the model that Habaitat for Humanity has built. The people who build Habitat homes are the homeowners, future homeowners, and interested peopel from the community. It is a labor of love intended to help people move into decent, affordable housing.

There is no reason that tens of thousands of jobs couldn't be created using a pyramid effect to help the citizens of the Gulf coast rebuild their communities, one home at a time.

Anne
This is great idea.

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Well--my county and central florida still have blue tarps.

But it is a combination of things...you can't get the materials fast enough. We went for months in a row...to home depot for fencing materials. Always out of stock. As soon as it comes it, it sells out. Same deal for any material that is commonly damaged from our storms.

They have new communities cropping up all the time in ordinary locations. And the people who live there and need jobs, they can be sourced for the manpower.

It will take time..but I don't think it will be more tragic than the hurricane itself.

[dixipixi]

There is lots of skilled labor around here. Almost everyone I know can at least do "finishing" work (painting, installing moldings, etc.) on their own homes.

This is an area where most of the men work as carpenters, plumbers, electricians, and welders. Trust me, we can do it.

We had to have our roof replaced and back wall completely rebuilt in our home and it's already done!!! We still have some more work to do (replacing screened porch, front porch, and carport). But we are all working together around here getting everyones necessary repairs done before we start on the extras.

We just can't be selfish right now. We may have to all make do with a little less than perfection in order for everyone to at least have housing as quickly as possible. That's how we'll get it done.

[Jimbo]

The reconstruction of the Gulf Coast will be more tragic than the Hurricane!This could easily be the dumbest thing I've read on these boards.

[ducklite]

This could easily be the dumbest thing I've read on these boards.


ROFL! I have to agree.

Anne

[swilphil]

First off, you do not need "skilled labor" to build a home. All that is required is a skilled foreman, and people with the will to get it done.

I back this statement up by asking you to look at the model that Habaitat for Humanity has built. The people who build Habitat homes are the homeowners, future homeowners, and interested peopel from the community. It is a labor of love intended to help people move into decent, affordable housing.

There is no reason that tens of thousands of jobs couldn't be created using a pyramid effect to help the citizens of the Gulf coast rebuild their communities, one home at a time.

Anne

Who knows? Maybe something along the lines of WPA projects from the '30s will take place. A few of the WPA project buildings I've seen are absolutely beautiful. Since there are so many people who are without jobs, it's possible, even though that might not be the first career for many of the workers.

Anne-- I like the idea of following the Habitat for Humanity model. It could really make for a bigger, better N.O. I donated to Habitat thanks to the link you provided.

[Conversationist]

The last two posters missed the point. The ripoffs (for poor quality work) and slow reconstruction of the Gulf Coast will be very tragic. There will be news stories of people selling their homes for a fraction of its pre Hurricane Katrina value.

The poor will not be able to afford the new homes that will be built. (Have you ever heard about any large scale new construction for poor people?)

[Tigger_Magic]

There is lots of skilled labor around here. Almost everyone I know can at least do "finishing" work (painting, installing moldings, etc.) on their own homes.

This is an area where most of the men work as carpenters, plumbers, electricians, and welders. Trust me, we can do it.

We had to have our roof replaced and back wall completely rebuilt in our home and it's already done!!! We still have some more work to do (replacing screened porch, front porch, and carport). But we are all working together around here getting everyones necessary repairs done before we start on the extras. What a great report. I'm glad to hear that you have some repairs done already. We just can't be selfish right now. We may have to all make do with a little less than perfection in order for everyone to at least have housing as quickly as possible. That's how we'll get it done. This is a great attitude!

[ducklite]

Who knows? Maybe something along the lines of WPA projects from the '30s will take place. A few of the WPA project buildings I've seen are absolutely beautiful. Since there are so many people who are without jobs, it's possible, even though that might not be the first career for many of the workers.

Anne-- I like the idea of following the Habitat for Humanity model. It could really make for a bigger, better N.O. I donated to Habitat thanks to the link you provided.

Funny you should mention WPA, I said exactly that to my DH over a week ago. It makes sense. Creates jobs while rebuilding. Employed people pay taxes and spend money. Businesses open to support those rebuilding, and hire even more people. I would rather have our tax dollars supplement employment thanunemployment if that's what it takes. (Please don't get political--it's a bi-partisan ideaology)

Anne

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

Some good news - Harry Connick, Jr was on tv this am talking about Habitat for Humaity's plan to assemble homes outside the area and ship then in - if we could do this in many, many cities - it could really be a great help, I think!!! :wizard:

[Tigger_Magic]

The last two posters missed the point. The ripoffs (for poor quality work) and slow reconstruction of the Gulf Coast will be very tragic. There will be news stories of people selling their homes for a fraction of its pre Hurricane Katrina value.

The poor will not be able to afford the new homes that will be built. (Have you ever heard about any large scale new construction for poor people?) You are leaping to conclusions that have no foundation in fact. Maybe you've had some less than desirable remodeling experiences, but your experience(s) do not necessarily mean that every homeowner in the Gulf Coast area is going to be ripped off. Maybe you have some evidence of this occurring right now that you could share with everyone? Or those news stores of people selling their homes for a fraction of its value?

As for the poor, I suppose you missed the President's speech last week where he proposed the Urban Homestead Act. If approved, "surplus federal property would be turned over to low income citizens by means of a lottery to build homes with mortgages or assistance from charitable organizations." There is already a federal law that requires the federal government to act in a disaster like this: Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. The federal gov't. is required to fund 75% of the relief effort.

Link Stafford to the proposed Urban Homestead Act and we may have the possibility to do what the federal gov't. has attempted to achieve for decades, since the "Great Society" of LBJ -- provide a means for real homeownership by many of the poor who might never be able to achieve this on their own. I think we have the possibility of accomplishing something astounding here if Congress can figure out a way to finance it and not muck it up in the process.

[ducklite]

The last two posters missed the point. The ripoffs (for poor quality work) and slow reconstruction of the Gulf Coast will be very tragic. There will be news stories of people selling their homes for a fraction of its pre Hurricane Katrina value.

The poor will not be able to afford the new homes that will be built. (Have you ever heard about any large scale new construction for poor people?)

Yes, I have. Look at what Habitat for Humanity (http://www.habitat.org/) is proposing.

Anne

[swilphil]

So many people I talk to who have had their home worked on (for remodeling or repairs after storm damages) have incredible horror stories.

Things were put in backwards
The job was unfinished
They used the wrong materials
Hours were padded
etc, etc.

The number one consumer complaint is with home construction and remodeling. Alot of the people doing this kind of work are dishonest and really do not know what they are doing.

This was in an area without the problems of the Gulf Coast.

The reconstruction of the Gulf Coast will be more tragic than the Hurricane!

Just because those problems occurred in Oregon doesn't necessarily mean they will occur in the Gulf Coast.

[Conversationist]

Sure volunteer and charity organization will build some homes. And people good with their hands will take care of some damage caused by the Hurricane, but the short term 1-10 years period looking challenging at best.

When do you think conditions will be as good as pre Hurricane? 6 months, a year, 5 years, 10 years? Give me an estimate.

[ducklite]

Sure volunteer and charity organization will build some homes. And people good with their hands will take care of some damage caused by the Hurricane, but the short term 1-10 years period looking challenging at best.

When do you think conditions will be as good as pre Hurricane? 6 months, a year, 5 years, 10 years? Give me an estimate.

perhaps you didn't read what HFH is setting out to do. They are planning on getting a collective made up of charitable and governmental organizations together to build a LOT of homes, not "some".

Reasonable estiamtes of the damage in NOLA are that up to 40% of homes have no or minimal damage would could be cleaned up to make the hosue livable in a matter of days. Of the remaining 60%, my guess is that in two years time, about 30% of that could be rebuilt. Some of NOLA will never be rebuilt, and that's probably a good thing. So we're looking at 60-70% rebuilt in two years, and let's say 80-90% within five.

Anne

[Belle1962]

zipping up flameproof suit---------going in:








I sure hope we aren't confusing "homes" and "housing". I think the government should only be required to provide, and people should only expect, like/similar housing. If you lived in an apartment Pre-K then you shouldn't expect the government or anyone else to give you a house Post-K.

I do worry that people who lived in many of the poorer neighborhoods, especially in older homes that were paid for, won't be able t move back in. I remember a neighborhood "renewal" project that took place in a city close to mine when I was growing up and where my grandfather owned a business. Once the "urban renewal" was done, no one from the "old neighborhood" could affford to live there anymore. It was a whole new "revitalized" area.

[ducklite]

zipping up flameproof suit---------going in:








I sure hope we aren't confusing "homes" and "housing". I think the government should only be required to provide, and people should only expect, like/similar housing. If you lived in an apartment Pre-K then you shouldn't expect the government or anyone else to give you a house Post-K.

I do worry that people who lived in many of the poorer neighborhoods, especially in older homes that were paid for, won't be able t move back in. I remember a neighborhood "renewal" project that took place in a city close to mine when I was growing up and where my grandfather owned a business. Once the "urban renewal" was done, no one from the "old neighborhood" could affford to live there anymore. It was a whole new "revitalized" area.

However... This might be the opportunity for working folks who couldn't buy a home only because they couldn't scrape up the downpayment a chance at homeowneship.

I"m sure that as part of the rebuilding, low income apartments will be built by the government.

While this was a tragedy of immense proportions, hopefully the rebuilding will give many people the chance to live in safer, updated housing. I am confident that a master plan will be developed that will accomodate everyone who wants to return, while stimulating the economy in the process.

Anne

[Belle1962]

However... This might be the opportunity for working folks who couldn't buy a home only because they couldn't scrape up the downpayment a chance at homeowneship.




tongue in cheek here...but watch out...you're starting to sound like Babs Bush who got so much heat for daring to insinuate that some people might benefit/get a "leg up" etc. from the disaster. (I forgot her exact wording). And you know how that riled some people :duck:

[ducklite]

tongue in cheek here...but watch out...you're starting to sound like Babs Bush who got so much heat for daring to insinuate that some people might benefit/get a "leg up" etc. from the disaster. (I forgot her exact wording). And you know how that riled some people :duck:

I hope I didn't sound like that. As I said, it was a terrible tragedy, simply unfathomable.

I guess I'm hoping that maybe some light can shine at the end of the tunnel.

Anne

[dixipixi]

Don't worry about property values down here. DH and I checked on purchasing some land that joins ours today. We found out that the land we currently own has doubled in value in the last two weeks. Of course, we're outside of NO. A lot of people from the city have moved up this way and real estate is booming around here.

As for an estimate as to when things will get back to normal, they're already coming along. Some of the harder hit areas will take longer, but we'll do it...one neighborhood at a time if we have to. We would not have survived this long in Louisiana without a positive attitude. I think most of us have already realized that we've entered a "new normality". Some things will never be the same again. It's kinda like building that new house on the old foundation. Something new and different existing because of what was there before. Different, but familiar.

WPA projects and Habitat are great ideas...they take the involvement of the community. One thing that I don't think those of you outside this area get is the fact that we are very "hands on" around here. Almost everyone helps to build (if not entirely build) their own homes. You would just have had to be here for the last few weeks to see what we have already accomplished.

Thanks, Tigger for the nice comments about my earlier post.