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As hundreds of Galveston families struggle to find permanent housing after Hurricane Ike destroyed their homes, the Galveston Housing Authority will be one step closer to rebuilding hundreds of homes after presenting plans for the major restoration effort to City of Galveston officials today.

Galveston Housing Authority Executive Director Harish Krishnarao will present to Galveston City Council members today plans to replace the four housing developments wiped away by the storm. The presentation will be conducted Thursday, Nov. 12 at 2 p.m. at Galveston’s City Council Chambers, 823 Rosenberg.

Four damaged Housing Authority buildings were demolished, and master plans to be proposed would rebuild Cedar Terrace (2914 Ball), Magnolia Homes (1601 Strand), Oleander Homes (5228 Broadway) and Palm Terrace (4400 Sealy). The plans include more than 500 brand new homes complete with central heating and air conditioning, individual garages, washer and dryer connections, dishwashers and energy efficient appliances. The new developments will provide hundreds of families, elderly and other individuals with affordable homes compatible with new housing constructed.

Plans for the new homes were developed after a series of design workshops and public hearings were conducted by the Housing Authority to provide Galveston residents, including the many displaced families, the opportunity to give their idea of what future housing should look like.

The Galveston Housing Authority moved quickly since the storm to serve displaced families and already has put about $20 million back into the economy helping Ike victims with temporary housing and services since the storm. The program has created an opportunity for much-needed jobs on Galveston Island, hiring an additional 104 unemployed people to assist with the disaster assistance effort.