Former President Carter + Hollywood = Fail

[JALU3]

Charity homes built by Hollywood start to crumble

RESIDENTS of a model housing estate bankrolled by Hollywood celebrities and hand-built by Jimmy Carter, the former US president, are complaining that it is falling apart.
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.

Granted, what they were doing was based on good intentions, and I hope that the problems are resolved so that those who were less fortunate, economically, could return to someplace that they can safely call home.

[UnderseaLcpl]

I have mixed feeling about this. On the one hand, I have always been an ardent supporter of Habitat. I've personally helped build 5 homes, and I would encourage others to invest time and money in the charity. It's worth it just to be able to do something that means that much to someone.

On the other hand, these homes, by dint of the areas they generally exsist in, can't really be expected to last too long. Sooner or later they will change hands, and in some cases, even the original owners fail to maintain them properly, either due to more pressing concerns, or simple neglect.

Nonetheless, as long as the time and effort is provided voluntarily, I support Habitat and programs like it. Charity is about giving selflessly, which means no expectation of reward or result. If the work you contribute or the money you donate is rendered worthless in six months, it is no matter. That's what makes it charity.

[Kapt Z]

Originally Posted by UnderseaLcpl

I have mixed feeling about this. On the one hand, I have always been an ardent supporter of Habitat. I've personally helped build 5 homes, and I would encourage others to invest time and money in the charity. It's worth it just to be able to do something that means that much to someone.

On the other hand, these homes, by dint of the areas they generally exsist in, can't really be expected to last too long. Sooner or later they will change hands, and in some cases, even the original owners fail to maintain them properly, either due to more pressing concerns, or simple neglect.

Nonetheless, as long as the time and effort is provided voluntarily, I support Habitat and programs like it. Charity is about giving selflessly, which means no expectation of reward or result. If the work you contribute or the money you donate is rendered worthless in six months, it is no matter. That's what makes it charity.

My feelings exactly. I have also worked on many Habitat projects and the quality of the construction varied by site and local sponsor. Some of the sites had excellent ratios of professional contractor(advisors) to volunteers and others we were just left to our own devices. I heard plenty of tales of contractors having to come in and rip out and re do much of the construction that the volunteers did because they(the volunteers) meant well but didn't know what the heck they were doing.

It's a great program overall, though. The idea of 'sweat-equity' for the future owners, that they have to put in many hours working on the house themselves, really helps to put a face on the work you are doing.

[Zachstar]

If any of these houses last 5 years it will be a miracle.

These houses arent built to hit the market. They are built to hold heat and keep the elements out. Anything more requires MUCH more effort and cost meaning FAR less sheltered.

To compensate many who give to live in these places try HARD to maintain them with what little money they have.

However I have heard of others become crack houses, cat houses, etc..

Dealing with cockroaches is easy. Modern roach traps are a substance which causes them to be unable to feed the young and also shuts down part of the system to process the food they eat. When done right it is 100 percent effective. Also they explode in population ONLY when they have serious food to feed on. Meaning the houses must have food laying around everywhere.

[SteamWake]

You get what you pay for.

[jpm1]

I get a cool programme in France it's called Extrem makeover home edition i cry like a grand ma each time i see it . In France there isn't habitat problems as you can benefit minimal ressources when you're unemployed and you can exercise a right to habitat to your town council . in theory cause the law that gives the right to the habitat dates from 2008 and apparently it takes a bit to be put in place
concerning the Fairways oaks story it seems it's not very serious except maybe the dump thing

[Zachstar]

While I like that show.. It is not a true representation of volunteer housing projects.

They get thousands of experienced volunteers and they have no problems with inexperience compared to projects that do not have 50 cameras on them.

Also the houses are paid for by advertisers and the network and the like.. Thus they can be grand and use great materials.