When newlyweds Walter and Della learned recently that construction on their house will soon begin, they were ecstatic. “We are thrilled to have a great home to start our family!” exclaimed Della.

Walter, who is a cook at the Silver Slipper Casino in Waveland, met Della through her mother, who also works at the Silver Slipper. When Walter went to pick up Della for their first date he arrived at their house along with the fire department. A fire had started in their kitchen! According to Walter, their second date went much better!

Walter gets very emotional when he reflects on his experiences of living through Katrina, because some of his friends did not survive. In spite of this loss, Walter remained in Bay Saint Louis to help with recovery, while the rest of his family moved to Wisconsin.For two months Walter lived in a tent. Then, he lived in a FEMA trailer for 24 months. Finally, Walter was able to transfer into a MEMA Cottage when they became available.

Prior to hurricane Katrina, Della was living with her mother. After the storm, they lived in a FEMA trailer together. Recently Della used disability payments she had received to help buy her mother a trailer to live in.

Walter and Della’s Habitat house will put an end to the cycle of temporary housing that has plagued them since Katrina, allowing them to begin a new life together. They are particularly excited because Walter’s family moved back from Wisconsin and are living on the same street as their new house!

Both families have supported the couple and have even helped them with their sweat equity, helping to build other Habitat houses. As the construction date for their home approaches, Della and Walter are busily planning their schedules so they can work on their house with the volunteers as much as possible.