|
Homeowner Bio
Marie Carter, age 70, has lived in New Orleans all of her life. In the Upper Ninth Ward, where she’s lived for 39 years, she and her late husband, Arthur Carter Sr., raised their three children Arthur Jr., 46, Bridget, 43, and Ricky, 28.
During Katrina, Marie evacuated to Austin, Texas, with her daughter, Bridget and her son-in-law Jeffery. Having weathered many storms, Marie thought she’d be back soon and packed just one change of clothes.
But Katrina destroyed her home and everything she owned.
“I came into this world with nothing,” Marie says, and after Katrina, “I was right back where I started.”
After the evacuation, Marie lived with her nephew, Steve, in Austin. However, after several months, Steve’s home grew increasingly crowded with family members and friends who, like Marie, were trying to make sense of the devastation and decide on the next step.
In December 2005, Marie decided to move to a nearby apartment in Austin, where she remained for nearly a year. It was during this time period that Marie resolved to move back home to New Orleans.
In February 2006, Marie was able to secure and move into a F.E.M.A. trailer in Hammond, LA. But in the trailer, her health quickly deteriorated.
Marie said she found living in the F.E.M.A. trailer “next to impossible.” After only two weeks, her doctor encouraged her to move out of the trailer as soon as possible.
Marie was forced move yet again, this time to an apartment in Hammond, La. She remained in this living arrangement until early 2007, after which point, Marie moved into Bridget’s rebuilt home, where she remains to this day.
As Marie recalled this period of her life, she added “You know what? I have traveled more in the last 5 years than I have all of my life.”
In the midst of all of these moves, Marie was trying to use the funding she received from her insurance company and the Road Home program to rebuild her home. However, she first was forced to pay off her mortgage with the funding. With what was left she was able to reframe and level the house, but ran out of money to complete all the repairs. Worse, the electrical work that was completed was stolen on two separate occasions.
Despite all that Marie has had to endure, Marie says she is grateful for the volunteers and workers who are helping to put her back into the city and home that she loves.
|
|
Under Construction
Some of our homes currently under Construction
Barbara Williams, New Orleans, LA
Brenda Dupre-Williams, Lower 9th
Chana King, Violet, LA
Clarence and Diane Victorian, New Orleans East, LA
Cologero Caillouet, Chalmette, LA
Darren Anderson, Violet, LA
Darryn Carreras, Chalmette, LA
Darrell Betha, Mereaux, LA
David Lagrange, Arabi, LA
David Melerine, St Bernard, LA
Deborah Vita, Violet, LA
Debra Brown, Gentilly, LA
Delia Doty, Chalmette, LA
Donald & Tonya Topey, Violet, LA
Donnell Barthelemy, Violet, LA
Donnie Panarello, Chalmette, LA
Evelyn Solis, Chalmette, LA
Gerry Bierria, New Orleans, LA
Glenda Ceaser, Violet, LA
Jennifer Lanier, Violet, LA
Joycelyn and Lawrence Stokes, St. Bernard, LA
Joyce Guient, New Orleans, LA
Juan Toledo, Arabi, LA
Keith Florane, Chalmette, LA
Kenneth Burrell, Arabi, LA
Kenneth Dorsey, Lower 9th
Kwame & Dominique Adansi-Bona, Gentilly, LA
Mathilda & August Miller, Chalmette, LA
Mona Lisa Payne, New Orleans, LA
Ralph Dipadova, Chalmette, LA
Rebecca Holmes, St. Bernard, LA
Regina Beal, Violet, LA
Rhonda Krantz, St. Bernard, LA
Ricky Diecidue, Meraux, LA
Robert & Amy Barlow, Meraux, LA
Roosevelt Houston, Lower 9th
Sabrina Pacaccio, Violet, LA
Shane & Tina Meshell, Meraux, LA
Sharen Williams, Arabi, LA
Theresa McLuckey, Chalmette, LA
Vanessa Havers, St. Bernard, LA
Velma Lewis, New Orleans, LA
Willie Major, Violet, LA
|
