Tuesday, June 22, 2004
Miss Lucy Ann Anderson has spent the last 40 years taking care of other people's homes. Working 12-hour days, holding two or more jobs at a time, she was never able to save enough to enable her to buy a safe and structurally sound place to live.
Miss
Lucy's old home had no electricity, gas or water, and the roof leaked
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Since 1971, Miss Lucy has lived over a garage in the Queensborough neighborhood
of Shreveport. Working long hours at homes in affluent neighborhoods, Miss Lucy
returned each night to a home with no electricity, gas or water, and with a
roof that leaked. She prayed for the day when her living conditions might improve.
Imagine her delight when Shreveport Mayor Keith Hightower presented her the
keys to her new home during a National Homeownership Month celebration.
Miss
Lucy’s new home was made possible by HUD, the City of Shreveport and Community
Support Programs
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Miss Lucy's new home was made possible through a strong partnership between
HUD, the City of Shreveport, and Community Support Programs. HUD HOME funds
were used to fund the construction of Miss Lucy's new home.
"The City of Shreveport receives about $1.5 million each year in HOME
money, which we use to create affordable housing," said Bonnie Moore, Interim
Director of Community Development. "We use these funds to respond to the
most severe cases first; Miss Lucy's was severe."
Members
of the partnership watch as Miss Lucy's snips the ribbon opening the door
to her new life
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Enter Miss Lucy's angels. Community Support Programs, a local non-profit, used
their expertise in affordable housing development to build the home. As the
project was progressing and word got out, CSP CEO Peggy Shemwell was touched
by the outpouring of support for Miss Lucy. "Almost anyone we've approached
has been willing to help," said Shemwell. "It's been just a wonderful coming
together."
Miss Lucy's happy ending has been long in coming, but her prayers have been
answered and she now has a little piece of heaven right here on earth. After
long hours at work, she now comes home to a 915 square foot, two bedroom one
bath brick house - with electricity, water, central air and heat. It was built
directly in front of the garage where she has resided for more than 30 years.
"It's a taste of heaven for me," said Miss Lucy.
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