15 Ike-displaced families home for Christmas

GALVESTON, Texas (AP) - Home for the holidays means just that for 15 families in the Galveston area whose Hurricane Ike-damaged residences have been rebuilt.

Maria Huerta said "my heart is here" after she entered her restored home Tuesday, which included a Christmas tree in the living room.

Huerta's residence is among 154 redone by Galveston County Restore and Rebuild since Ike slammed the area in September 2008. The effort is a partnership of 35 charity and social service groups.

Joe Higgs with Gulf Coast Interfaith says about $2 million in private donations funded the work. About $3.5 million in federal funds will help pay for more rebuilding in 2010, with a goal of restoring about 250 more Ike-damaged homes next year.

The city and Galveston County recently received federal housing assistance totaling about $232 million.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)