PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to explore the possibility of providing additional aid to assist the Hurricane victims in the Gulf States in the form of assistance to Habitat for Humanity. Prior to taking any formal action, this item will be presented for additional Council discussion and consideration.   

BACKGROUND / ANALYSIS

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita wreaked havoc in the early Fall of 2005. The human, infrastructure, and economic impacts have been huge and recovery efforts will continue for years to come. The immediate and long term costs associated with recovery are staggering and will run into billions of dollars. As with most disasters, the federal government will shoulder much of the cost through the Federal Emergency Management Agency�s (FEMA) public and individual assistance programs

Almost immediately following the realization of Katrina�s devastating impacts, various City departments, labor groups, and community partners began efforts to assist the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Currently, more than $187,850.00 has been raised. The following list provides a synopsis of known efforts to date.

• The City of Burbank, through the efforts of the Community Development Department, was a partner with NBC News �Today� and Warner Music Group as part of the Make a Difference Today project. The project, in conjunction with �Habitat for Humanity�,  involved framing six houses on a vacant lot across from NBC which were then transported to the Gulf Region for completion and eventual ownership by families in need. The houses were delivered to the disaster area the first week of October. Local community and labor organizations volunteered their time in the building process.  All the lumber was donated by a Mersola Construction for an estimated amount of $42,000.00.

• The Burbank Firefighters Local 778 made an initial $10,000 donation and conducted a three day �fill the boot� event. Proceeds went to the Bush/Clinton relief efforts as well as the International Association of Fire Fighters to assist more than 2000 displaced firefighters who were victims of the hurricane.  Also, firefighters personally donated money to the relief fund.  On-duty firefighters spent many hours working with �Habitat for Humanity� to build structures.  Because of their assistance Habitat was able to build three more additional homes.  Firefighters spent approximately 65 staff hours for a total of $2500.00.

• The Burbank Police Department �adopted� the Waveland, Mississippi Police Department and supplied them with surplus law enforcement equipment, food and clothing. Also, they worked with a local business man to donate two brand new patrol cars.  The Burbank Police Officers Association funded the shipping costs associated with this effort. $1,470 was collected from Police Department staff.  Police staff spent approximately 62 hours of on duty time for a total of $1,780.00.

• The Burbank Police and Fire Departments supported NBC and the Red Cross in holding two �fill the boot� fundraising drives the first week of September. The drives were held in the AMC Plaza and a total of $124,000.00 was raised. The Burbank Management Association assisted in helping to raise the awareness level of these events.

• The Community Development Department made contingency plans for the potential housing of evacuees that might relocate to Burbank.

• The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers collected over $3,000 at a Labor Day rally and the Burbank City Employees Association contributed $3,100 and new clothing towards helping the victims.

DISCUSSION:

Habitat for Humanity oversees the �Operation Home Delivery� program. This program is the same program under which six homes were built here in Burbank, and then transported to the disaster area. As a first step in the Operation Home Delivery process, each home requires a �sponsor�. The sponsorship is required to ensure that there is a commitment/payment to cover the costs associated with the logistics of getting the homes from Burbank to the affected areas in the South.  However, at this time, Habitat for Humanity has recently indicated that they have run out of locations for new houses. So for now, new houses are not being accepted. 

FISCAL IMPACT

According to Habitat for Humanity, the cost for an initial sponsorship of a Home Delivery project is $85,000. This amount is for administration costs � including transportation of the units. There are additional costs of $50,000 � 100,000 for material. There is no fiscal impact as a result of this agenda item.  The decision made by Council as a result of this report will determine future fiscal impacts and potential costs.

RECOMMENDATION

Staff recommends that the report be noted and awaits further direction from Council.

go to the top