Habitat For The Cockroaches
Some of those Habitat for Humanity homes aren't faring so well, writes John Harlow for the Times of London about one of Jimmy Carter's pet projects:
Fairway Oaks was built on northern Florida wasteland by 10,000 volunteers, including Carter, in a record 17-day "blitz" organised by the charity Habitat for Humanity.Eight years later it is better known for cockroaches, mildew and mysterious skin rashes.
A forthcoming legal battle over Fairway Oaks threatens the reputation of a charity envied for the calibre of its celebrity supporters, who range from Johnny Depp and Brad Pitt to Colin Firth, Christian Bale and Helena Bonham Carter.
The case could challenge the bedrock philosophy behind Habitat for Humanity, claiming that using volunteers, rather than professional builders, is causing as many problems as it solves.
April Charney, a lawyer representing many of the 85 homeowners in Fairway Oaks, said she had no problems taking on Habitat for Humanity, despite its status as a "darling of liberal social activists". She said the charity should have told people that part of the estate had been built on a rubbish dump.
One man pulled up his floorboards to find rubbish 5ft deep under his kitchen. Other complaints include cracking walls and rotting door frames that let in rats and ants. Many residents have complained of mildew and mysterious skin rashes.
Now, is this just recipients of charity looking for a quick buck in a lawsuit? Perhaps. But, check this out in the comments on the Times of London piece:
This is not a typical Habitat project. This was a photo-op for the worst President who is also the worst former President the US. has ever had. I am on the board of a local Habitat and we do great work. We only build about three houses a year but they are made well and last if maintained.lulu bert, columbus,ms, usa
Is Lulu Bert real -- and for real? I found a couple of comments in that name on articles. But, here's a bit about the Columbus-Lowndes, Mississippi Habitat for Humanity. And it looks like Lulu has it right: they're about to start construction on just two homes; one for a woman and her disabled son and one for parents with six children who've just adopted eight more out of foster care.
Here's a counterpoint from another guy who's apparently worked on Habitat houses, the blogger at The Ripley Porch:
For years...I've sat and watched Jimmy Carter's Habitat for Humanity charity do its work. In my mind, there were always negatives mixed with the positives. Everytime they did a video piece....they interviewed people who were real carpenters, and then you came to the majority of the group...who were regular people like myself, with no construction background whatsoever. I usually got the impression that a good sixty to seventy percent of the participants had no background in construction. It was a charity support thing...which I can apprciate but then I kept thinking...would I want a house from these guys?
Ummm...somebody who's homeless without one? Ripley continues:
Carter's charity might have great intentions but the truth of the matter is that people have come to expect a house with no issues. And when you rush in with thirty people...of which only four are professionals...you are getting questionable workmanship. I'm thinking this is going to be a tough sale in the future as people began to realize what you are getting. In some ways...you might be better off just spending $30k and buying a RV trailer....or $60k to get a house trailer...rather than accept charity at your front door.
Getting back to realism again, I don't think the people living in Fairway Oaks had the money to get a trailer. They got real sweetheart deals on their housing (from the NYT: $500 down, 300 hours of sweat equity, and no-interest mortgages of around $45,000 to $61,000. Monthly payments, including insurance, are generally less than $300). Without those deals, many would very likely be in some very dire straits now.
And yes, the NYT piece has the EPA reporting the Fairway Oaks land safe -- just like they did my old neighborhood around the WTC after 9/11. Hilarious! (Unless, of course, you were breathing the air.)
"Whaddaya want for nuthin?"
The people took the houses essentially free. They always have the option of leaving. Sympathy = zero.
bradley13 at January 4, 2009 6:06 AM
Aren't Habitat houses subject to the same local building codes and inspections as conventionally built structures? Up here in Wisconsin, each major construction phase has to be blessed by an inspector before the project can proceed.
writzer at January 4, 2009 6:14 AM
Similar things can happen with regular homes as well. We had a development that was built over a former gun range. The homeowner moves in and there is a heavy storm. Bullets are popping out of the ground left and right. Enough that the developers were out in suit and ties trying to wash them into the sewer before anyone saw.
It is a combo of property and construction shortcomings for the ants and cockroaches.
Jim P. at January 4, 2009 6:25 AM
I agree, no sympathy here. Most charities here in Austin now only accept new items as donations. Excuse me, but if MY kid wears clothes that are a little worn, why does some homeless person think they are too good too? Talk about entitlement. And yes, habitat homes have to be inspected, so if there's an issue, I'd say the inspector needs looking at. An issue, that is, beyond residents not keeping them clean or maintained. It's not like roaches just appear for no reason. If you have food for the insects out and about, the insects will come, million dollar mansion or shack.
momof3 at January 4, 2009 7:24 AM
"I usually got the impression that a good sixty to seventy percent of the participants had no background in construction."
A kid right out of high school with no background in construction can get a job as a carpenter's, electrician's, or plumber's helper. Sounds to me like three or four professionals on a ten-man crew could easily supervise the other Habitat for Humanity volunteers well enough for good solid results. As a matter of fact, the local volunteers I know have worked on so many houses by now that they are probably comparable to apprentices. And as others have pointed out, the houses have to pass inspection, besides.
Axman at January 4, 2009 7:53 AM
In New York, you can keep an immaculate house and still get roaches. They come in from the rain to the first house that hasn't been sprayed recently. As one person I know from Queens said "We know when the neighbors have had their house sprayed because roaches start showing up here."
As to "professionals" - how many of the McMansions that are popping up like gophers do you think were built by "professionals" versus illegals?
Anyone can build a wall. And with a modicum of care, can build a damn good one. Construction isn't rocket science, and real engineering doesn't even begin to be a concern until you start looking at large structures with long unsupported spans, or very tall structures that need even weight distribution through carrying members.
Remember that this nation was built before the concept of an engineering school was invented. A great many of those houses are still standing in the Northeast, and most of them are lived in - not musems.
brian at January 4, 2009 8:26 AM
If you are going to look for nobility in poverty...
Eric at January 4, 2009 9:01 AM
Excuse me, but if MY kid wears clothes that are a little worn, why does some homeless person think they are too good too?
I have a friend who lives in a multi-million-dollar house her husband designed and built in Brentwood. Their kids wear clothes she gets at Goodwill. She's no idiot. Why spend $30 on a shirt when you can get it for 99 cents on special? And her boys' shirts are cooler, because they have vintage messages on them. P.S. She and I met in a designer resale store and went out for a drink, and became friends.
As for getting vermin through no fault of your own, I got mice in my house. I was horrified. Also puzzled to pieces, because I typically don't have food in my house (I make rather rare appearances at the grocery store). Apparently, it was a combination of reasons: Two old ladies in the Palisades who fed mice and rats dog food, and, apparently, singlehandedly increased the population in Los Angeles...demolishment of houses and a construction boom in my area...rain and flooding...and the fact that previous tenants in my house had removed that metal/rubber piece on the bottom of the back door. The exterminator saw that, and said, "Of course you have mice! It's like an open door policy for mice." They're gone now, thanks. The exterminator and the mice.
Amy Alkon at January 4, 2009 9:16 AM
Around 20 years ago, I lived in a house with no roaches, didn't keep it particularly clean. My brother in law moved and gave us his desk. He had roaches and after the desk, I had roaches. Took a long time and a lot of boric acid to get rid of them. Now I live in a different house and have waterbugs (the big flying roaches) but none of the smaller ones. To get rid of them, I would have to exterminate the whole neighborhood because they also live outside, unlike the small ones.
William at January 4, 2009 9:41 AM
An issue, that is, beyond residents not keeping them clean or maintained. It's not like roaches just appear for no reason. If you have food for the insects out and about, the insects will come, million dollar mansion or shack.
This is true, and you can keep your house immaculate and still get little critters of all kinds if there's even a small opening anywhere, or neglect of any kind. Ya gots to be vigilant, ya know!
Flynne at January 4, 2009 10:11 AM
Long story --
I used to volunteer for a charity that would select several houses to rehab every April at no cost to the owner/residents.
An army of volunteers would descend on the selected houses to paint and haul trash and do finish work.
On my last excursion, after the contractors had installed a free new roof, windows, and siding, and performed numerous repairs, we painted the house inside and out.
We also removed a couple of tons of garbage, construction detritus and waist-high weeds in the yard, thus giving the family easier access to their speedboat.
The family refused to lift a finger to help.
The two young adult men were unable to help because they were busy running off to the 7-11 several times an hour every time they had a short, cryptic phone conversation.
Mom and Grandpa simply disappeared for the day.
At lunchtime, the mayor flew in by helicopter to join an armed police escort for her photo op at the site, then departed -- with all the cops and guns....
But the REAL highlight came at the end of the day when Grandpa came in and loudly complained that we hadn't built him a free new kitchen.
And that was the last time I volunteered to help anyone with their "habitat".
Gog_Magog_Carpet_Reclaimers at January 4, 2009 11:39 AM
I think Bradley got it right:
There's a lot of reasons why things are given free. The old "You get what you pay for" always apply
Brian got an interesting point too. Being "building Literate" is not that hard. Electric pieces are as Dumb-Proof as they can be, carpentry is basic commonsense and plumbing knowledge can be taken off the code as is. Nothing in a building is brain surgery. This being said, if you don't want to learn the basics of home ownership, you buy a condo or you rent.
Toubrouk at January 4, 2009 1:54 PM
Historical Question: Has Jimmy Carter EVER done anything properly? Seriously, has he?
Robert W. at January 4, 2009 3:26 PM
"I usually got the impression that a good sixty to seventy percent of the participants had no background in construction."
So what? If the building meets code and passes inspection, who cares? We bought a new house last spring and have since installed all the new hardwood floors, hung all new interior doors, put up crown-moulding and chair rails, put in new insulation in the attic, fixed or replaced every toilet in the house, refaced a couple of cabinets, and repainted throughout. My wife and I did every last bit with our own hands. It is not rocket science. You do a little research, buy your tools and read the instructions. Once in a while I called my father for a tip, and once in a while you have to fix an error. Big deal.
Granted, there are some things I won't do myself - wiring, for example; and I won't fix the leak in my roof myself even though it would be an easy repair, because I know that I am just clutsy enough to fall off the damn thing and break my neck. A professional will do these few things. But the great bulk of the work doesn't require a professional.
This snobbish fascination with credentials is unfortunate. In some fields a heavy emphasis on credentials is appropriate to be sure, but not all. I worked at an aluminum die casting plant in Michigan that employed several engineers, not one of whom had a four-year degree or certification as a professional engineer - yet, if you are driving a GM product, there's a good chance their handiwork is embedded in your transmission and you are probably doing fine.
A colleague in the IT department at another place I worked told me that hardly anybody in the IT field learns their trade in college, but rather they enter the field because they have a knack for it, and get the training they need - to include the certifications from Microsoft and other credentialers -- along the way.
Dennis at January 4, 2009 5:09 PM
Dennis - good on ya!
Most electrical work doesn't require a professional, but you are wise to avoid it if you have even the slightest doubt about your abilities. Electricity does not have a sense of humor, and if you do not pay it proper respect, it will kill you.
And as far as anyone who asks me for advice on getting into IT, I tell them to avoid college unless they are going into REAL programming. Everything else can be learned from a two-year trade school and a fast internet connection.
brian at January 4, 2009 9:16 PM
How much does a factory-new single-wide house trailer cost (including installation on a home site)? How does that compare to a Habitat for Humanity house? I really don't know the answer to that, or if it's even relevant in this case, but I did start to wonder.
old rpm daddy at January 5, 2009 6:42 AM
Would those be the out-gassing fermaldahyde trailers, that fema people can't live in? Trailers are such a scam. Seem cheaper, yeah. But you have to rent or buy land. And if something breaks on a trailer, it's a special "trailer part" that costs way more than regular parts. A trailer water heater is several hundred dollars. I can buy a cheap small one for my house for maybe $100?
momof3 at January 5, 2009 8:58 AM
Amy, I have a suggestion. Since the Speaker of the House is from California, why don't you play your sindicated columnist card and ask her office for their explanation, and what, if any, mitigating steps are envisioned to curb any unintended consequences of this law? Given your relatively higher public profile than the rest of us, maybe you might be better placed to get a meaningful response?
Dennis at January 5, 2009 9:15 AM
Said Momof3: "Trailers are such a scam. Seem cheaper, yeah. But you have to rent or buy land. And if something breaks on a trailer, it's a special 'trailer part' that costs way more than regular parts."
Oh. That's why I brought it up. On the other hand, if it's a Habitat house, the land issue is a wash -- you'd have that either way. The maintenance issues, as you've said, sound like a different story.
old rpm daddy at January 5, 2009 9:49 AM
I live in a modular (permanently mounted on a foundation).
As far as specialized parts -- some of it was that they use PEX pipe for water lines and RV type things (like the faucets) but they can be swapped out with regular ones relatively easily. About the only thing that I can't find easily at Lowe's/Home Depot is a furnace. those are semi-specialized, but even then most are specialized anyway.
Jim P. at January 5, 2009 1:22 PM
You know, many people have to sue the 'professional' developers who built their leaky moldy mess.
272,000 google hits for 'mold sue developer'
I've been menaing to volunteer with them for years. 300 hours to glean experience from a professional? Sounds great, but I am pretty much that guy they write the Home Depot commercials for.
smurfy at January 5, 2009 5:41 PM
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