Note: This story reports on saving homes from destruction to provide quality homes for families and individuals. This story was first reported in June 2000.

People in Los Altos want to build bigger and better houses. Property there is expensive. Owners want to tear down or move houses so they can build on the lots. Some property owners have decided to give their houses to East Palo Alto.

When people donate houses, they receive tax breaks. After the house is moved, a needy family gets a cheap home.

Roger Gaw wanted to donate a house. He paid a lot of money to have the house moved. Christina Luiz has two houses that can be used. Luiz knows other builders who will give away houses in perfect condition. The idea is catching on and others are calling to donate houses.

East Palo Alto’s mayor is Sharifa Wilson. The city doesn’t own any property. Wilson thinks people will start screaming that they want the houses. Now the city must decide how to give away the donated houses.

East Palo Alto is close to rich cities. The city has had problems with poverty and drugs. Drive-by shootings earned it the title of "murder capital" a few years ago. Now East Palo Alto is benefiting from donated houses. Eight houses have been given to the city. The city will have to learn how to handle its new wealth.

Further notes:

Over 1.5 billion people throughout the world do not have decent housing. There are organizations and groups trying to provide housing for the needy. One such organization is Habitat for Humanity that began in 1976 and since then, has built 90,000 homes. Although a Christian organization, Habitat works with people of all faiths. Each family receiving a home must help with the building along with volunteers from the community. Former President Jimmy Carter is Habitat’s most famous volunteer.

Related Websites:

• Habitat for Humanity
• Human Investment Project (HIP Housing): a non-profit organization that creates permanent housing solutions

Related Stories:

• Homeowners Are Donating Their Old Houses
• Free Silicon Valley Houses for Non-Profits: article from the International Real Estate Digest
• Monks use faith, and funds, to move houses: article from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on April 6, 2000.
• Project: Save a Home: The Monks of the Cistercian Abbey

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