For Louis Roach the simple key he clutched Saturday was an answer to his prayers.

Roach, a Katrina evacuee, celebrated his new house provided for him by the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity.

“It is a lovely house, and I can’t wait to get the furniture for it,” Roach said.

The Habitat group finished building its 10th house this month. It has joined other Habitat houses on Smith Street, which is planned to become a subdivision for Habitat.

“We have built three houses in three years, who else can say that they accomplished that?” Habitat president, Andrew Calvit said.

Roach is the first physically disabled person to receive a house.

“It has been a goal of mine to build a handicap accessible home, and that finally came true,” Calvit said.

The volunteers were able to build the house according to American Disabilities Association standards. Doors, cabinets and the bathroom were specially designed in order to accommodate Roach.

Catholic Charities is donating $1,000 for furnishings that will be bought at National Furniture. Delta Sigma Theta sorority provided refreshments.

“You can’t put a price on a service that gives confidence to a home owner,” United Way CPO Kathy Stephens said.

The United Way and Habitat for Humanity are on a partnership grant that allows United Way to offer financial counseling and other tools the recipient needs to sustain a house, Stephens said.

Before a person is chosen to receive a house, he must have a need for the house, be able to work or pay off the loans and mortgage and join Habitat in building other houses.

Roach is ready to restart his life.

“I just want to stay at home, barbecue and cook red beans and rice,” he said.