The Houston County affiliate of Habitat for Humanity has built 35 houses, and number 36 is the biggest house built to date. The new 1640 square foot house is being built for the 11-member Landry family, who came to Warner Robins from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina damaged their home beyond repair. Claude Landry, Sr. , a single father of nine children ranging in ages from 7 to 19 years, moved here with his grandmother, Viola, and his children to start a new life. His children are Claude Jr. , 19, Corey, 16, Christian, 15, Cemoni, 14, Codrick, 13, Cierra, 12, Cordell, 11, Ceyonna, 10, and Camron, 7.

Mr. Landry is employed as a truck driver for Warner Robins Supply Company.

The Atlanta architectural firm of Bradfield, Richards, Rhodes and Associates designed the 6 bedroom, 2 bath, 1640 square foot house. Habitat hopes to have the home completed in September.

Claude Landry, Sr. is a hard working, dedicated Christian father. He and his oldest son had been baptized in their church in New Orleans. The family started attending the First Baptist Church of Garmon Street every Sunday after arriving in Warner Robins, and his other eight children chose to be baptized since coming here. Claude Sr. is proud of their decisions for Christ and that they decided on their own.

Mr. Landry has been back to New Orleans to retrieve some personal mementos from his former home, but he is in need of some furnishings for his family's new home. He needs some dressers and chests of drawers for the childrens' bedrooms as well as some nightstands and lamps. Claude Sr. mentioned that his family would like to have a sectional sofa in a chocolate brown color and some end tables and lamps to go with it for their living room. The family also would appreciate a table and chairs for outdoor eating and a glider couch for the front porch.

He has a gas grill, and the family enjoys cooking out. When asked about his grandmother, Viola's, need, Claude Sr. responded that she always says if the children are taken care of, then she doesn't need anything. She does most of the cooking for the family, however, and does need pots, pans, and glasses.

Someone in the community has promised them a large dining room table with 10 chairs, which will provide a great place for their family meetings. They meet together once each month to discuss all current issues in their lives.

If your church or Sunday school class would like to help out with a few extras for this family, you can contact John Sillers, Habitat's Executive Director, at 328-3388 or e-mail hocohabitat@cbi. mgacoxmail. com.

Habitat for Humanity builds decent affordable housing for families in need. The application process is not a snap decision. The applicants must meet three criteria in order to qualify, First, the applicant must be living in substandard housing. Second , the applicant must have sufficient income to pay a mortgage, and, third , the applicant must agree to partner with Habitat for a minimum of 500 hours of sweat equity. Homeowners must help to build someone else's home as well as their own.

The income requirement is based on a sliding scale and takes into consideration the number of family members that must be supported and housed. Habitat uses volunteer labor and donated materials. All electricians, plumbers, and heating and air conditioning workers must be licensed to ensure proper installations and regular building inspections are conducted. Warner Robins has a 17 percent substandard housing rate and Perry has a 10 percent rate. Habitat makes a home visit with two people to verify current living conditions after an application screening and a credit check. Their Board of Directors gets only brief information to preclude any bias for or against an applicant after approval.