Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project

What began 25 years ago with Jimmy Carter’s modest donation of time has blossomed into an internationally recognized annual working celebration of homeownership.

The Carters have faithfully given a one week of their time each year since 1984 to help build Habitat homes. This year’s Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project ran from May 11 – 16. For more information about this project click on the link below.

Habitat for Humanity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast

APA, its members and partners will provide seven raised wood floor decks which will serve as staging areas for the massive framing frenzy.

APA Raises Floors and Hopes for Habitat Homeowners

Despite torrential rain, thunder and lightning during the final two days, the week-long Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project ended on a high note – raised wood floor systems for 30 new Habitat for Humanity homeowners. APA, the Southern Pine Council (SPC) and their many manufacturing and industry partners are delivering construction strategies, product support and educational outreach to help rebuild flood- and wind-ravaged Gulf Coast communities.

At the Framing Frenzy near the Biloxi lighthouse, volunteer crews had completed 42 of 48 frames being assembled on five raised wood floor decks supplied by APA, the Southern Pine Council and LP. Those frames will be stored for future delivery, as will the raised wood floor decks.

In Pascagoula, 20 new houses were built in a tree-lined neighborhood devastated by Hurricane Katrina. A ravaged neighborhood in Biloxi has 10 new houses.

Pascagoula site manager Bracky Cooper estimated crews had houses 80 percent finished as of Friday afternoon. The day’s final activities included laying sod outside and finishing flooring inside.

“For what we had to work with considering the weather the last couple days, I think we’ve come out of this with a tremendous success. I’m very proud of what we’ve done.”

Prior to the arrival of the nearly 2000 volunteers, framing crews installed raised wood floor foundations and sheathing. Lee Anderson, construction supervisor for the lead affiliate, HFH of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, said the decision to use raised wood floor foundations instead of concrete slabs was based on construction ease and speed.

“We built the five Framing Frenzy decks in about six hours with an all-volunteer crew,” said Anderson. “We rely on many volunteers to control costs, so we want a volunteer-friendly system. Raised wood floors provide the solutions we need.”

Those needs are still enormous. Hurricane Katrina had flooded 95% of Pascagoula according to Code Enforcement Officer Bill Dunnam. Habitat for Humanity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast expects to build more than 250 wood-framed houses in 2008.

“In the wake of Katrina, we are one of the few cities enforcing codes for base flood elevations, wall bracing and flood plain management,” said Dunnam. The 13 member building department has four certified flood plain managers, a rarity for a city the size of Pascagoula with 26,000 residents.

According to Dunnam, coastal contractors are turning to raised wood floors and using more engineered wood products in their homes.

“We have taken to giving out APA’s Builder Tips to both contractors and homeowners because the installation recommendations are so complete,” said Dunnam.

Bill Breeden, the city’s plan review inspector described how Habitat addressed the building codes in the only 150 mph wind zone along the Gulf Coast.

“One of the things we required was the use of tall OSB sheathing which connects the bottom and top plates. By doing this, it helps to reduce the number of connectors to use to tie the building together,” said Breeden. The city also required that openings be more than 27 inches from any corner, roof sheathing panels be no less than 24 inches wide and that crews adhere to a stringent 4-inch on center nailing pattern on roof sheathing.

Dedication ceremonies and a final day of building also wrapped up at participating affiliates throughout the Gulf Coast Friday May 16. From Mobile, Alabama, to Houston, Texas, volunteers weathered the elements to bring 250 more partner families closer to homes of their own.