Fixing up existing homes is new, lower-cost option for Habitat

              When the economy began its downslide and funds for building houses dwindled, Our Towns Habitat for Humanity turned its sights toward helping families in another way – by rehabilitating their homes.

             The new program, ReHabitat, aims to “ReBuild, ReStore and ReFresh” existing homes in the four towns – Mooresville, Davidson, Cornelius and Huntersville – served by Our Towns Habitat.

             Following a drop in the economy and donations at the onset of 2009, Our Towns Executive Director Terry Laney said the agency needed to devise a new plan for continuing to help those in the area communities.

             “We found that we were not going to be able to continue what we did in the past and expect the same results,” he said, noting that Our Towns served 18 families in 2008, yet knew the same was not possible in 2009. “We wanted to look at another way we could serve families.”

             The ReHabitat program focuses on repairs – from major interior or exterior issues to landscaping, general maintenance and weatherization – that homeowners at 60 percent or less of the median income simply cannot afford or accomplish themselves.

             “It’s an opportunity for families that are on fixed incomes or that may be physically impaired in some way where they can’t really take care of their homes anymore, where they need some entity to come in,” said Laney, mentioning that this was Our Town’s Habitat’s way of “working around the economy.”

             He added, “We’ve identified that is the way we can serve more families in the Habitat nation.”

             The agency’s first official project – some “lighter work” repairs were made before the program came to fruition – recently wrapped up following immense success, said Laney and Tammy Cox, Our Towns’ resource development director.

 A 93-year-old Cornelius resident owns her home, but “did not have the means to repair a failing roof, porch and handicap ramp,” said Cox. The ReHabitat program stepped in to assist and not only “RePaired” the damages, but also killed some poison ivy that nearly covered her entire yard.

 The program’s second project – extensive work to repair bathroom and kitchen flooring and ceiling following water damage – is slated to begin next week.

 Said Laney, “As our program grows, we’ll get more families in the queue. This is giving us an opportunity to grow.”

 He also noted that the ReHabitat program provides more volunteer options, especially to those under 16 years old who typically cannot work on a home-build site.

 “It’s an opportunity for people to get involved and get engaged and swing a hammer,” Laney said. “Not everybody can get involved when we build new homes. This really opens up the door to get more people involved.”

 ReHabitat utilizes two categories for their projects: ReStore and ReFresh.

 Those ReStore projects include repairs “that will correct problems at the home (interior and/or exterior) that affect the homeowner’s health and safety,” according to information from Cox. “Common repair projects address issues like an unstable structure, faulty roof and poor accessibility, etc.” These particular projects are estimated to cost between $5,000 and $15,000, and families are expected to repay a below-work-value amount at no interest over time. Those funds would be recycled back into Habitat’s homecare and repair efforts.

 Under the ReFresh stream, “A Brush with Kindness” looks toward minor exterior repairs, painting, cleaning and landscaping – exterior items that help maintain the home’s outward appearance. These projects are estimated around $1,500.

 Costing around $5,000 each are the ReFresh weatherization tasks, which “will address the health, safety and efficiency of the home,” including heating and cooling needs such as insulation, windows and caulking. These particular projects also require a partial repayment by families.

 For more information about the ReHabitat program or to donate funding or volunteer hours toward these projects, visit www.ourtownshabitat.org or call 704-896-8957.