Habitat for Humanity vows to help 50,000 Haitian families

"This is a bold goal for Habitat for Humanity, but the level of destruction and the number of families affected demands a bold response," said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International in a press release. "In our response, we want to provide the widest range of shelter resources available so that we can have a positive impact on the greatest number of people possible." The first step of Habitat's plan includes distributing 10,000 emergency shelter kits. The kits have tools and supplies that families can make immediate home repairs or construct a temporary shelter on their home site. Step two will include removing debris, salvage materials that can be recycled, repair homes that received minimal damage and build transitional shelters that meet basic needs. As conditions improve those shelters will be used in permanent housing. The cost of each shelter ranges from $1,000 to $2,000. During the final stage Habitat will build core homes with their own sanitation facility. These homes will cost from $4,000 to $6,000. The Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund has committed $300,000 to help Habitat for Humanity for the emergency shelter kits.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY INTL

The Home Depot Foundation employees Jennifer Perritte and Catherine Woodling volunteer with Habitat for Humanity to help to assemble emergency shelter kits in a warehouse near Atlanta. Habitat for Humanity is shipping 10,000 of the kits to Haiti to help families make immediate repairs to their homes and construct emergency shelter. Materials in the kit include items such as a bucket, tarpaulins, wire, rope, a pry bar, a mason's chisel, gloves, nails, a hammer and a saw. (PRNewsFoto/Habitat for H