Rebuilding Together: New Orleans at the 50+ Housing Symposium
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From Left to Right: Robert Wagner,legendary actor and spokesman for the Senior Lending Network, Joanne (Jo) Theunissen, Chair of the NAHB 50+ Housing Council, Jean Noble, Executive Vice President, Senior Lending Network, Hilda Levy,
owner of home, Calvin Levy Sr., Hilda Levy’s son | The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the Senior Lending Network recently joined forces with Rebuilding Together New Orleans to renovate a home severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Volunteers at NAHB’s National Green Building Conference and Building for Boomers & Beyond: 50+ Housing Symposium participated in a three-day community service project in mid-May to rebuild the home of a 67-year-old woman and her elderly mother, who were both displaced by Katrina.
Builders, architects, and other housing professionals volunteered their design knowledge and expertise to retrofit the turn-of-the-century shotgun home with universal design and green features. When completed this summer, the home will include a no-step entrance, wider doorways, ADA-compliant grab bars, raised countertops, comfort-height toilets, ENERGY STAR appliances and other energy-efficient features.
“With two conferences scheduled in New Orleans this spring, the National Association of Home Builders wanted to do its part to assist in the post-Katrina rebuilding effort,” said Joanne Theunissen, a small-volume custom builder from central Michigan and chair of the Green Building Conference and NAHB’s 50+ Housing Council. “Our volunteer crews enjoyed sharing their talents with Rebuilding Together New Orleans, which has helped so many families in the area get back into their homes. The work of these volunteers will ultimately make the home age-appropriate and environmentally friendly.”
The Senior Lending Network supported the community service project, which served as the organization’s kick-off for its Senior Independent Living Month from May 15 to June 15. All mortgage originators affiliated with the Senior Lending Network will be asked to promote social responsibility and the ethical treatment of seniors and discuss the positive benefits of reverse mortgages.
“So many seniors today are living independently and the Senior Lending Network is committed to encouraging and assisting this group to continue doing so in a secure and stable living situation,” said Robert Wagner, legendary actor and spokesperson for the Senior Lending Network. “We are so pleased to be able to join with NAHB and Rebuilding Together New Orleans. This is a great way for us to kick off our Senior Independent Living Month.”
Both NAHB and the Senior Lending Network enjoyed playing a role in assisting Rebuilding Together New Orleans, a local affiliate of the national non-profit organization, Rebuilding Together, Inc. By utilizing volunteer labor and corporate sponsorship, Rebuilding Together New Orleans is able to rebuild the homes of low-income, elderly and disabled residents who are still trying to return home. Since Katrina, the organization has completely rehabilitated 95 homes, with another 30 in progress.
“The National Association of Home Builders is vital to all of us in Rebuilding Together’s rebuilding efforts, here and nationwide,” said Kristin Giselton Palmer, executive director of Rebuilding Together New Orleans. “We enjoyed NAHB's visit and were thrilled by its commitment to New Orleans as well as its willingness to highlight the issues that affect us as we rebuild our great city. The presence of NAHB’s members and the support of companies such as the Senior Lending Network is definitely being felt in New Orleans.”
The community service project took place prior to the 10th annual National NAHB Green Building Conference and NAHB’s Building for Boomers & Beyond: 50+ Housing Symposium, both held in New Orleans earlier this month. Presented by the NAHB 50+ Housing Council, the Symposium in the premier education and networking event for industry professionals who serve the growing 50+ housing market.
A special thanks to the following Building for Boomers & Beyond: 50+ Housing Symposium volunteers and staff who participated in the community service project:
- Doug Ahlstrom, CAASH
- Natalie Ahlstrom
- Larry Armstrong, CAASH
- John Binder
- Susan Brecht
- Steve Bunce (staff)
- Byron Cohron
- Janice Coyle (staff)
- Joe Dirks
- Lita Dirks, CAASH
- Janice Dumont
- Stephen Dzuduch
- Kathryn Donatelli
- Janis Ehlers, CAASH
- Bernadette Finkelstein
- Elliott Finkelstein (staff)
- Manny Gonzalez, CAASH
- Sean Griest
- June Hurdle
- Robert Hurdle
- Jeff Jenkins (staff)
- Ross Jones
- Phil Keenan
- Mike Kephart, CAASH
- Alejandro Knopoff
- Shawn Machese
- Leslie Marks
- Anne Olson, CAASH
- Jane O’Connor, CAASH
- Rich Rosen
- Chuck Smith
- Edie Smith
- Joanne Theunissen
- Kimberly Timmons
- Doug Van Lerberghe
- Melanie Warnock
- Steve Wattenbarger, CAASH
- Kenneth Wooten
- Laura Zaner (staff)
For more information E-mail Jeff Jenkins, or call him at 800.368.5242 x8292 [Return to top]
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