Real Estate Central

Volunteer Crews Retrofit Home With Universal Design, Green Features

WASHINGTON, May 21 /PRNewswire/ — 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(SM) 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.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080521/NYW036-a )

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 was held prior to the 10th annual
National NAHB Green Building Conference, held earlier this month in New
Orleans, and NAHB’s Building for Boomers & Beyond: 50+ Housing
Symposium(SM), which runs through May 21. 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.

ABOUT NAHB: The National Association of Home Builders is a
Washington-based trade association representing more than 235,000 members
involved in residential building, remodeling, multifamily construction,
property management, subcontracting, design, housing finance, building
product manufacturing and other aspects of residential and light commercial
construction. Known as “the voice of the housing industry,” NAHB is
affiliated with more than 800 state and local home builders associations
around the country. NAHB’s builder members will construct 80 percent of the
more than 1.08 million new housing units projected for 2008.

ABOUT THE 50+ HOUSING COUNCIL: Since 1989, the 50+ Housing Council
(formerly Seniors Housing Council) has served the special needs and
interests of NAHB members and others in the housing industry who build for
the growing 50+ market. The 50+ Housing Council provides information,
education and research to its members and offers advocacy support to NAHB
members on key 50+ housing issues. The council supports 20 local councils
around the United States and serves more than 1,500 NAHB members involved
in 50+ housing. Among the 50+ Housing Council products include the annual
Building for Boomers & Beyond: 50+ Housing Symposium(SM), the award-winning
50+ Housing Magazine, industry research and education programs at the
local, regional and national level.

About the Senior Lending Network(TM)

Since 2004, the Senior Lending Network has been championing the rights
of the nation’s senior citizens through its educational efforts, financial
products, and philanthropic endeavors. By providing seniors with
information and guidance on issues most pertinent to their lives as well as
access to a network of qualified reverse mortgage experts, the Senior
Lending Network has already touched the lives of more than one million
seniors.



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Source: Real Estate Newswire