Hurricane FAQ

• What if I do not currently have a job?
• What if I do not currently live in New Orleans?
• What if I am missing documentation (i.e. tax forms, bank statements, marriage certificates)?
• What if I owned a home in New Orleans before Katrina and...?
• What if I do not have a permanent address and or phone number at this time?
• What if you don’t want to apply with Habitat in New Orleans but you want to apply in another area of the U.S.?

What if I do not currently have a job?

Before you receive a final acceptance from New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity as a Partner Family you will need to be employed in New Orleans or have a guarantee of employment, in the New Orleans Area.

What if I do not currently live in New Orleans?

We can help you to begin Sweat Equity in other areas of the country, through other affiliates.Before you receive a final acceptance from New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity as a Partner Family you will need to prove that you live in New Orleans, Jefferson or St. Bernard Parishes.

What if I am missing documentation (i.e. tax forms, bank statements, marriage certificates)?

We understand that much of your documentation may have been lost or misplaced as a result of Katrina.  We have already changed our application process and extended our typical timelines for the application process to accommodate difficulties with obtaining lost documentation.  We will be understanding, but we are serious about our deadlines. Here is a list of important telephone numbers:

Tax Returns: Please call 1800-876-1715 or Vist the IRS website at www.irs.gov.
Social Security: SS award letter, Supplemental Security Income Award Letter or Social Security Card, please call 1-800-772-1213, or visit the SSA web at www.ssa.gov.
Food Stamps Award Letter: visit www.fns.usda.gov/fsp

What if I owned a home in New Orleans before Katrina and...?

a. It is destroyed and I want a Habitat house...
You will have to resolve all financial, insurance and legal issues before you will be applicable for our program.
b. I want help rebuilding
We do not currently do any rehab work.  There are other organizations in the city that do rehab work and we advise that you get in touch with them
c.Can you recommend a contractor?
We cannot.  However we recommend the following organizations which can:
New Orleans Home Builders Association at (504) 837-2700
Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors at  1 800 256-1392
Better Business Bureau at(504) 581-6222

Please be very, very careful in hiring contractors.  Make sure that they are licensed and that there are no complaints filed against them.  All contractors must carry workers comp and liability insurance.  You should ask for, and receive a certificate of that insurance directly from the issuing agency, not from the contractor.  No more than 10% of costs or $1,000 should be asked for or put down up front; and never ever, ever in cash.

What if I do not have a permanent address and or phone number at this time?

Give us your temporary address and phone number and/or the address and phone number of a relative or friend who has stable contact information and who will always be able to reach you.  Please update us as soon as you have permanent or semi-permanent contact information.  Indicate where we should mail information to you.  We will mail information to that address.  We are not responsible for keeping up with your change in contact information.  We are not responsible for mail that does not reach you if your address changes.

What if you don’t want to apply with Habitat in New Orleans but you want to apply in another area of the U.S.?

We only take applications for the New Orleans Area.  There are Habitat affiliates all over the United States.  You can contact Habitat for Humanity International 1 800 HABITAT for the phone number of a local affiliate or go to www.habitat.org  Click on the right side of that page under quick links and click local affiliates, then enter the zip code of the area you want to live.