The Stones are back at home: John and Beth Stone stand in front of their Lehigh Acres home after it was refurbished removing bad Chinese drywall and all wiring. Photo by Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry counties has built more than 1,000 homes in its history, and has rehabbed another 160 or so. Now the Habitat affiliate can add Chinese drywall remediation to the types of construction it can perform.

Habitat has just completed work on the first of 25 Habitat homes that were discovered to contain Chinese drywall last fall. After four months in a rental unit, he Stone family excitedly moved back into their completely rehabilitated home in Lehigh Acres.

Habitat estimates that seven more families will move home over the next month, with the remainder following in subsequent months.

The Stones first met with Habitat to learn their Lehigh home had Chinese drywall in October, and moved out in November. Habitat began demolition work in December, and reconstruction commenced in January. All drywall, wiring, and air conditioning had to be removed from the home and replaced.

“We’ve come a long way from the shock of the initial discovery,” said Habitat president Kitty Green. “We have learned what needed to be done to remediate the homes, accommodated each family’s needs, recruited volunteers and funding, and got it all done.”

According to Green, the drywall was donated to the affiliate by a company that is no longer in business, and insurance did not cover the remediation work.

“We took a leap of faith. The Board felt strongly that we have to stand by our families and do the right thing for them, despite the roughly $650,000 cost,” said Green.

“And since then we have had individuals and a foundation contribute funding, the Bonita Storage Inn donated most of the cost of storing the homeowners’ personal items, and Lee County has been able to help with some SHIP funding as well. We are extremely grateful to everyone who has helped us solve this problem and keep our homeowners in safe, decent, affordable homes.”

Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry counties has provided 1,164 homes to low income families in Lee and Hendry counties since 1982, utilizing zero-interest mortgages. Partnering families must commit to 250 sweat equity hours, pay $1,200 toward closing costs, and attend homeowner classes.

Habitat provides a hand up, not a hand out, Green said.