Sharon White Regains Her Determination to Rebuild New Orleans resident Sharon White is more determined than ever to rebuild her home. In January, she was devastated to learn that the city had decided against reviving her neighborhood. But now she has a building permit and she wants a FEMA trailer so she can begin the restoration.

Sharon White Regains Her Determination to Rebuild

Sharon White Regains Her Determination to Rebuild

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Sharon White stands in the doorway of her duplex. Photos by Andrea Hsu, NPR hide caption

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Photos by Andrea Hsu, NPR

Sharon White stands in the doorway of her duplex.

Photos by Andrea Hsu, NPR

White in her daughter's room in her house on Bonita Drive. hide caption

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White in her daughter's room in her house on Bonita Drive.

New Orleans resident Sharon White is more determined than ever to rebuild her home. Back in January, she was devastated to learn that her neighborhood wouldn't be revived

But now she's got a building permit and she wants a FEMA trailer so she can go back and begin the restoration.

White admits there's a lot of work to do. "When I look at [my house], I see potential… I'm a visionary, I guess. I see brand new sheetrock, brand new ceiling fan and I see a better room."

On a recent visit to her neighborhood, White was thrilled to see FEMA trailers in neighbors' yards. The trailers are a sign that maybe the city has not written off her street, White says.

"To me, that's an opportunity... my neighborhood is coming back," White says. "It's gonna happen. I'm excited."