The Problem: United Way of Southeast Mississippi's Long Term Recovery Coalition: Recover, Rebuild, Restore Southeast Mississippi: R3SM is working to address the following needs, based on the current progress of the needs assessment survey (as of 7-24-06): 65 homes require a total rebuild 312 homes require major repairs 179 homes require minor repairs This represents only a small percentage of the anticipated need, based on past disasters.   R3SM, its members and other agencies are working to address these housing repair and construction needs. However, since the local area's population has swelled as much as 30,000 due to Hurricane Katrina, the housing market is extremely tight. Thus, we have very limited facilities to house the volunteers who do this work.   The Solution: Volunteer Hattiesburg, R3SM, and the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity have worked together to design Volunteer House, a flexible, convenient, and wheelchair accessible facility capable of housing 22 volunteers in twin sized bunk beds with an office for coordination of volunteer efforts. Although it is compact for  the number it can house, it is spacious and user friendly, with four sets of independent shower and bathroom facilities, making it very efficient and livable. In addition, it also houses office space for front-line volunteer and construction coordination.    Volunteer House will not only serve the long term recovery effort, but also our local Habitat for Humanity, which is ramping up construction of homes to accommodate increased demand.     The Need: We are currently seeking businesses, organizations and/or individuals to make land in the Hattiesburg area available (through donation or funding) and to donate materials, funds and/or labor to construct one or more 'copies' of Volunteer House. Currently Hattiesburg Area Habitat for Humanity has tentatively earmarked a single home lot for Volunteer House.    Follow these links to learn more: R3SM United Way of Southeast Mississippi   The area served: Forrest County City Of Hattiesburg   City of Petal   Perry County    Lamar County      To contribute in any way, contact us.

The House

**Click on any image to enlarge it.**   The floor plan       3D Renderings (wheelchair ramp not shown)

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