Published: January 03, 2008 06:20 pm      

Vidor family given a home sweet home

By Tommy Mann Jr.

The Orange Leader



VIDOR — The new year has started off in a remarkable way for a Vidor woman and her adult son. They received a new home.

Nelda Williamson, 62, and her son, Clifford Wells, 43, received the keys to a new mobile home Thursday morning thanks to the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Relief Funds administered by the Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission.

The mother and son lost their 2,000 square foot home on Claire Street, which is located off FM 1131 in north Vidor, when Hurricane Rita roared through Southeast Texas more than two years ago. Since that time, Williamson and Wells have resided on their property in separate travel trailers which they received from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“We lost our home and everything in it because of Hurricane Rita,” Williamson said. “We stayed at my youngest daughter’s for a time after that, and we have been staying in these FEMA trailers ever since. I never thought we would see this day.”

The new home is a three bedroom, 16x76 mobile home and is just one of many new homes in Hardin, Jefferson and Orange counties made possible by CDBG Disaster Relief Funds.

According to Mike Foster of the Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission, 60 homes have been completed so far and he expects a total of 200 homes to be built or delivered by the time all funding is completed.

“This home is just one of many from the first round of funding using $30 million,” Foster said. “And there is much more funding to come which a lot of people don’t know about. There is a lot of paperwork required which is a big turnoff to a lot of people, but Ms. Williamson did it all and now she has a new home.”

Not only did Williamson and her son officially receive the keys to their new home Thursday, but as an added surprise, they also received numerous new items such as furniture and appliances from members of the community and various organizations.

According to a woman who wished to remain unidentified from First Baptist Church in Vidor, a generic list of items was compiled which are found in the average home. She said residents within the community, organizations such as Catholic Charities and various businesses across the area helped the mother and son make the structure into a real home by donating home furnishings.

Items donated included queen sized beds, sheets, pillows, a shower curtain, cleaning supplies, a washer and dryer, microwave, a recliner, numerous gift cards, rugs, dishes and everything you would need for the kitchen.

“A lot of faith based organizations have been a big help to these people, and others, as well,” Foster said. “The Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission does what it can, but it’s these other people and organizations who help make it come together.”

When the large truck from Home Furniture arrived with some of the new belongings being delivered to the new home, Wells was noticeably overcome with emotions.

“This is just shocking,” Wells said as he fought back tears. “Everyone came together to help us and we’ve struggled for so long. We actually thought we would be homeless at one point. The Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission and so many others have been a blessing to us. It’s been wonderful.”

Wells’ mother was all smiles as complete strangers filed up to the front door of the mobile home bearing boxes of items to be placed in the new home.

“It seems like we have waited so long for this to happen,” Williamson said. “I’m just shocked that so many people, especially from our community, have come together to help us. It’s truly a blessing.”



Reach this reporter at 409-883-3571, Ext. 2619 or tmann@orangeleader.com