Habitat switches gears to help in area flood relief

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Habitat switches gears to help in area flood relief

Iowa Valley suspended new projects in June

The Iowa City Press-Citizen*

Tyler O'Neil • Iowa City Press-Citizen • August 13, 2008

http://www.press-citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?

AID=/20080813/NEWS01/808130311

The flooded properties along Edgewater Drive in Coralville have been

considered a lost cause, but Ron Ham still hopes to save his home of

24 years from mold or the wrecking ball.

When the Iowa River overcame its banks in June, water made its way

into Ham's home at 697 Edgewater Drive, flooding the building about

a foot on the first floor. It was difficult for Ham to think that

the home he had invested so much in might be destroyed.

" We put a lot of time and effort into this, " Ham said.

That was when a crew from Habitat for Humanity and AmeriCorps

volunteers came to the rescue. In a matter of days, workers stripped

the home of wet drywall, insulation and flooring. They power-washed

and disinfected the home to prevent mold from compromising the

structure to the point where demolition would have been the only

option.

" It would have taken an eternity to get this done myself, " Ham

said. " When people were sandbagging, there were plenty of

volunteers, but you don't see them now. I really appreciate what

these guys are doing. "

Wichman, an AmeriCorps Vista Summer Associate and United

Way Team Captain, said between seven and 10 AmeriCorps volunteers

work with Habitat crews on a daily basis. She said the partnership

has made both AmeriCorps volunteers and other volunteer groups far

more effective.

" (Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity) provides lunch and the

specialized training that you need to do this work, " Wichman

said. " It has been a great partnership. "

Kasie Ver Schuure, director of Resource Development for Iowa Valley

Habitat for Humanity, said the organization is keeping with its

mission of providing housing to those in need, but they have put

down their hammers and have picked up shovels.

" We decided to shift our efforts to providing flood repair, " Ver

Schuure said.

Iowa Valley suspended starting new projects in June, and crews

helped with sandbagging efforts across the Iowa City area. Habitat

construction crews then transitioned from house builders to house

cleaners.

" Everyone knew we needed to help, " Ver Schuure said. " Given our

construction background, we are some of the best equipped people to

help. "

Ver Schuure said Habitat crews have helped clean out more than a

dozen homes along the Normandy, Manor and Edgewater Drive areas as

well as organizing volunteers who have donated a total of 2,000

volunteer hours.

Besides meeting flood-affected homeowners' short-term needs by

mucking out houses, Ver Schuure said they also are working to meet

flood victims' long-term needs. Iowa Valley has collected basic home

necessities like brooms and other cleaning supplies and raised

$20,000 to be distributed as grants for low income or elderly home

owners in need of money to rebuild.

" We don't just want to stop because these families need our help, "

Ver Schuure.

Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity will begin building new homes this

fall.