Parker Waichman LLP

Chinese Drywall Fix Coming for Florida Habitat for Humanity Homes

Habitat for Humanity says it will be gutting about 24 Florida homes it built with defective Chinese drywall. The homes were built between 2006 and 2009 in Lehigh Acres, Cape Coral, North Fort Myers and Bonita Springs with Chinese drywall donated through Habitat’s national organization. This isn’t Habitat for Humanity’s first run-in with Chinese drywall. […]

Habitat for Humanity says it will be gutting about 24 Florida homes it built with defective Chinese drywall. The homes were built between 2006 and 2009 in Lehigh Acres, Cape Coral, North Fort Myers and Bonita Springs with Chinese drywall donated through Habitat’s national organization.

This isn’t Habitat for Humanity’s first run-in with Chinese drywall. Earlier this year, the Sarasota-Herald Tribune, in cooperation with ProPublica, reported that Habitat built more than 200 homes with Chinese drywall in hurricane-ravaged New Orleans and then ignored homeowners’ complaints about corrosion and other problems in their homes.

For its part, Habitat denied that Chinese drywall was causing problems in any of its New Orleans homes. According to ProPublica, the nonprofit continued using Chinese drywall in its houses long after news of its defects had spread throughout the nation and long after most builders had stopped using it. Habitat didn’t start testing 280 homes it believes it built with Chinese drywall until ProPublica and the Sarasota-Herald Tribune began covering homeowners’ complaints.

Finally, Habitat began notifying New Orleans homeowners in August that it would gut the affected homes and move the residents into apartment complexes where they can live rent-free until the construction is finished. Habitat will also pay to store their possessions.

According to the Associated Press, the Florida Chinese drywall fix will cost Habitat $750,000, with renovations slated to begin in November.

Since late 2008, the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) has received more than 3,600 reports from residents in 39 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, and Puerto Rico regarding defective Chinese drywall. Sulfurous gases emitted from Chinese drywall are being blamed for significant property damage, including damage to HVAC systems, smoke detectors, electrical wiring, metal plumbing components, and other household appliances. Some people living with the wallboard have also complained of health problems. The CPSC has recommended that homes built with defective Chinese drywall be gutted.

What Our Clients Say About Us
We have worked with thousands of clients and we appreciate them and their positive reviews. Here are just a few recent client reviews...
5 Star Reviews 150
I wanted to thank Ms.Benita Rollis, of Parker Waichman LLC for seeing me through this entire process. Your professionalism in seeing me through this case was exemplary. Ms. Rollis is a 10 in my book. Thank you and regards
Avril Kendall
a year ago
5 Star Reviews 150
Positive: Professionalism , Quality , Responsiveness , Value P&W worked on my 9/11 VCF claim and in retrospect I am so happy I chose them over the other firms who do the same. Ashley L. handled my claim and she was wonderful to work with. She was knowledgeable, responsive, and compassionate.
Shoshana Dornhelm
3 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
Positive: Professionalism , Responsiveness B Rollis was very kind, helpful and quickly returned calls regarding any questions I had.
Willie Matos
3 years ago

Why Choose Us to Help You?

We Take Care of Everything
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
No Recovery = No Legal Fees
We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that we only get paid from a portion of your settlement or jury award. If you don't get compensation, you owe us nothing.
Decades of Experience
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
Respected by Our Peers
Judges, insurance adjusters, and fellow attorneys all speak highly of our skills, and we've earned numerous accolades, including a flawless rating from AVVO.
We Have Many Locations To Serve You
We have the experience and the skilled litigators to win your case. Contact us and speak with a real attorney who can help you.
Long Island – Nassau
Parker Waichman LLP
6 Harbor Park Drive
Port Washington, NY 11050
Long Island – Suffolk
Parker Waichman LLP
201 Old Country Road – Suite 145
Melville, NY 11747
New York
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038
Queens
Parker Waichman LLP
118-35 Queens Boulevard, Suite 400
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Brooklyn
Parker Waichman LLP
300 Cadman Plaza West
One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
New Jersey
Parker Waichman LLP
80 Main Street, Suite 265
West Orange, NJ 07052
Florida
Parker Waichman LLP
27299 Riverview Center Boulevard
Suite 108
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
Nationwide Service
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038