Houses for Haiti: A prototype of the houses headed to Haiti was on display at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Clear Lake on Sunday. The temporary structures are 8 feet by 12 feet and a kit continuing all the pieces can be set up in an hour once they reach their destination. Photo by Kim Christensen.
With images of Haiti's earthquake still fresh in their minds, local volunteers are working to build small wooden houses -- just 8 feet by 12 feet -- for survivors.

In partnership with the non-profit organizations Builders Without Borders of Texas and CORE Alliance, the Homes for Haiti project is setting up an assembly line in the old Academy location on FM 518 and I-45 in League City, accepting donations and gathering helping hands in an effort ease homelessness.

"Our original goal was to build 1,000, but we would like to see 10,000," said Friendswood resident Kim Reed, founder of Builders Without Borders of Texas. "If every church in this state did two houses, you're already halfway home."

The modular houses are constructed in sections of plywood and 2-by-4's that are stacked flat, banded together and shipped to Haiti for assembly. They aren't completely put together here because they would be too bulky and expensive to ship.

Each temporary dwelling takes about an hour to assemble once they reach their destination. Four walls, a floor and a roof create a small, simple home that will provide shelter from the elements for up to three years. Rain, hurricanes, and direct sun are the biggest immediate concerns.

Replacing the tent cities now housing thousands of homeless survivors of the Haitian earthquake is what volunteers see as the next stages of the country's recovery.

"They get hurricanes regularly, and a tent is like a parachute," said Matthew Schultz, executive director of CORE Alliance. "These are a heck of a lot better than a tent or hanging a tarp from a tree."

Both the CORE Alliance and Builders Without Borders of Texas sprang up after Hurricane Katrina.

CORE Alliance, also known as Christians Organized for Relief Efforts, is a church-based non-profit disaster relief group. Builders Without Borders of Texas, also a non-profit organization, builds simple homes, clinics and schools in Mexico and other places in need.

The Homes for Haiti project has already established construction sites in Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Denver, Colo. The Houston Academy location will be the third construction site and also the largest. At 50,000 square feet, the League City location will provide plenty of room for materials, construction and volunteers.

Owners of the former Academy space have donated the space for several months. After that, Schultz says, volunteers will stay until the space gets rented.

Volunteers set up a completed modular home inside the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church at 18220 Upper Bay Road so community members can see what the finished product looks like.

And both organizations are looking for skilled volunteers to build homes and help make a difference in Haiti.

"We are looking for people to show up every day, who know how to build, know how to use a hammer and saw," said Shultz. "Everybody is welcome to help out."

Also needed are materials, tools and equipment required for construction.

"All donations are tax deductible," Shultz said. "And we are especially seeking corporate donors and sponsors."

Some donations have already come in, Reed says. Several local businesses have pledged support as well, CORE suggest fundraisers to help pay for supplies.

"Now a lot of people want to do more than just write a check," said Schultz. "People here who want to do something to help -- this project is a way for them to do that."

MORE INFORMATION

CORE Alliance
www.core-alliance.org
877-884-CORE (2673)
Organizations can contact Matthew Schultz at director.corealliance@gmail.com

Builders Without Borders of Texas www.builderswithoutbordersoftexas.org
832-274-3893 or 832-621-5733