When The Walls Come Crumbling Down
By Wyatt Earp | January 4, 2009
A hard hat, a cool bandana, and a plaid shirt make me just like Bob Villa, right?
Eight years ago, Jimmy Carter spearheaded a build-a-thon for Habitat for Humanity that was funded in part by many Hollywood folks. Unfortunately, there are now problems.
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.
Personally, I’d break out in a rash if Carter built a home for me. I mean, I remember his presidency. Good intentions plus poor plans = disaster.
The intentions are good, but when the politicians and big-shot stars have left we’re stuck with the consequences. This house looks pretty but inside it either stinks or sweats.
Not all of the residents are convinced that Habitat’s building practices and development locale are to blame:
Diennal Fields, 51, said people did not know how to look after their homes: “It’s simple stuff: if there is mildew, don’t get a lawyer, get a bottle of bleach.
(H/T: TimesOnline)
HOWEVER, there do seem to be real issues that haven’t been caused by lack of pride in ownership.
Habitat, on its own, does a good service for people who need better housing, especially for rural and urban families. However, to think that you can build homes in a short amount of time using “professionals” and volunteers, just asks for some problems. Then again, maybe homes shouldn’t be built on a trash heap, either. What? Did he think he was building in NJ?
Topics: Evil = Funny | 9 Comments »
January 4th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
As the article says: it’s simple stuff:
If there is mildew, don’t get a lawyer, get a bottle of bleach.”
and if there is 5 feet of compressed rubbish under your kitchen floor, don’t get a bottle of bleach get a lawyer!
January 4th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
The stories I could tell you about Habitat Philly would make you cringe.
January 4th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
Alan B – If Jimmy Carter was near my home, I’d get a 50-gallon drum of bleach!
JoeMama – Most things in my town make me cringe, so I believe you.
January 4th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
However, ask yourself: is ANY of this liberal pap unexpected? At all? Any on the Left familiar with the phrase “unintended consequences”? THIS is what you get when you let feelings and emotions rule your life.
BZ
January 4th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
This is a shining example of the key failure of disease we know as liberalism: strong on intent and weak on delivery of something worthwhile and meaningful.
The results of this “build” are reflective of the Carter Presidency.
Jason
January 5th, 2009 at 4:24 am
I read what seemed to be a dispassionate article on this. Evidently some of the houses really do have structural problems since they were built on an unstable foundation, but some of the owners are…..slobs. They are complaining about bugs. Well, they do live in south Florida, home of the palmetto bug. They are complaining about mildew. Well, they do live in a high humidity climate. Bleach is their friend.
January 5th, 2009 at 10:13 am
I wouldn’t trust anything JC is involved in. He’s so crooked he couldn’t hammer a nail straight.
January 5th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
“especially for rural and urban families”
Are there any other types?
January 6th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
BZ – Amen, brother!
Jason – Welcome to Malaise Estates!
KY person – Bleach is also Paris Hilton’s friend, too, ya know!
Miriam – Hook him up to ten lie detectors before I believe a word out of his mouth.
Thrush – Wow, good point. How did I not snark about that?