Community Renewal Revitalizes Evacuee Family

New homes are popping up in Allendale, thanks to "Building on Higher Ground." The project is a joint effort between Shreveport-Bossier Community Renewal, Habitat for Humanity and the Fuller Center for Housing. The group plans to build a total of 60 new homes on Clay Street. "Home ownership is the first step out of poverty... We`re gonna provide housing for the poor. At no interest. And no profit." said Mack McCarter of Shreveport-Bossier Community Renewal Tuesday morning three families got the keys to their new homes. But it was especially significant for the Stubbs family. "We lost everything and we never figured it would turn out this way. It looked like everything was going downhill. But now we know there is a God up above and everything is going up." said Michael Stubbs. The Stubbs lost their New Orleans home during Hurricane Katrina. They see the Higher Ground program as a blessing. "Everyone just came out and volunteered their time. And they didn`t know me from anyone. And they were willing to do that." said Stubbs. But it wasn`t just a handout. The Stubbs put in over 300 hours of sweat equity. Now the family is beginning a new chapter in the life Katrina nearly destroyed. "I never pictured it like this. But it`s wonderful. It`s great." Reported by Kimberly Williams, kwilliams@ktalnews.tv