Hurricane Katrina’s wrath has hit again – this time cutting in half the number of Habitat for Humanity homes built in Warren County, chopping the number of volunteers who help build the houses and increasing the number of applicants.

&#8220We are overwhelmed with applications and need your prayers and support,” chapter president Sam Corson said in an address to the Vicksburg Lions Club.

Corson said the chapter is looking to churches and businesses for help in making up for the shortfall blamed on Katrina.

Warren County Habitat for Humanity received 50 applications for housing from April to November 2005. Three of those have been selected to receive houses in 2006, a number that Corson hopes to maintain or exceed in years to come.

Habitat for Humanity is a Christian housing ministry. Prospective homeowners are selected on the basis of need, ability to pay and willingness to partner with Habitat.

Each homeowner family must invest 500 hours of &#8220sweat equity” in the construction of their home or another Habitat house. After the home is completed, the homeowner is responsible for paying an-interest free mortgage. Since being founded in 1990, the local chapter helped build or renovate 18 houses for families in Vicksburg.

One of those is Deloris Powell and her children, who have lived at 2302 Letitia St., for five years.

&#8220I had a wonderful experience working with Habitat,” she said. &#8220After working with them on my own home, my children and I helped with another woman’s house,” Powell said as she pointed to the side of her pale gray home. &#8220I have always wanted a home of my own. After being in the Housing Authority system for 18 years, God has truly blessed me.”

In addition to the wealth of applications, Warren County Habitat lost many of its dedicated volunteers and lacked the materials and funding needed to meet a goal of building two homes in 2005, Corson said.

The only home built in 2005 is at 207 Winters Lane.

&#8220Hurricane Katrina really slowed us down,” Corson said. &#8220Many of our volunteers went to the Coast to help with the relief efforts, and we just did not receive the money we needed.”

He said finding property and surveyors are also problems.

Corson said the first revival step will involve recruiting an executive director to bridge the gap between the organization and others like it. The executive director – who will be the organization’s first – will be a full-time advocate for Habitat, Corson said. The executive director will be responsible for establishing partnerships with supportive organizations, seeking influential individuals in the community for affiliate support, working as an advocate for low-income families in need of affordable housing and rounding up federal grants, he said.

&#8220I hope they can get things together because I know some people that have children that really need a home,” said Earline Thompson, who has lived in her Habitat home for nine years. &#8220We had some really good volunteers with the program.” Thompson said she is thankful to have a home and would like for other families to share the same experience.

Corson said his goal for the next five years is to provide three to four homes per year in Warren County.