NP: Ingrates

[Henry]

>From The Sunday Times,
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article5439388.e
ce  

Charity homes built by Hollywood start to crumble

John Harlow in Los Angeles 

RESIDENTS of a model housing estate bankrolled by Hollywood celebrities and
hand-built by Jimmy Carter, the former US president, are complaining that it
is falling apart. 

Fairway Oaks was built on northern Florida wasteland by 10,000 volunteers,
including Carter, in a record 17-day "blitz" organised by the charity
Habitat for Humanity. 

Eight years later it is better known for cockroaches, mildew and mysterious
skin rashes. 

A forthcoming legal battle over Fairway Oaks threatens the reputation of a
charity envied for the calibre of its celebrity supporters, who range from
Johnny Depp and Brad Pitt to Colin Firth, Christian Bale and Helena Bonham
Carter. 

The case could challenge the bedrock philosophy behind Habitat for Humanity,
claiming that using volunteers, rather than professional builders, is
causing as many problems as it solves. 

April Charney, a lawyer representing many of the 85 homeowners in Fairway
Oaks, said she had no problems taking on Habitat for Humanity, despite its
status as a "darling of liberal social activists". She said the charity
should have told people that part of the estate had been built on a rubbish
dump. 

One man pulled up his floorboards to find rubbish 5ft deep under his
kitchen. Other complaints include cracking walls and rotting door frames
that let in rats and ants. Many residents have complained of mildew and
mysterious skin rashes. 

One resident said her children were suffering from skin complaints. "The
intentions are good, but when the politicians and big-shot stars have left
we're stuck with the consequences. This house looks pretty but inside it
either stinks or sweats," she said. 
Judy Hall, the charity's local development director, said recently that it
had been dealing with about 30 complaints. She added that skilled work was
carried out by professionals. 

Some residents dismiss their neighbours' worries. Diennal Fields, 51, said
people did not know how to look after their homes: "It's simple stuff: if
there is mildew, don't get a lawyer, get a bottle of bleach."
HENRY MUSIKAR
Information, Media, and Technology Consultant

http://www.urdomain.us/scuffling.htm