Last year the Habitat Home Repair Program created a new facet of our program called Home Preservation. The Home Preservation Program provides minor home repair and maintenance to owner-occupied homes. These types of projects are typically volunteer- friendly and focus on preserving the home and safety of the homeowner, while improving the community as a whole. Home Preservation is offered in communities and areas that Habitat for Humanity SKC designates for community impact and neighborhood revitalization.
In the past year we completed 20 home preservation projects, and are hoping to increase that number this year. We facilitate home preservation projects throughout the year on an individual project basis, but the bulk of our home preservation projects come through our home preservation events.
These events are a one-day endeavor designed to serve between three-to-five homeowners and increase our outreach in specific locations. The events also allow us to make an important impact in a short amount of time, and hopefully foster a homeowner’s understanding of long-term maintenance needs.
During the events we use a combination of volunteers, staff, and AmeriCorps members to complete minor home repair and maintenance tasks which include gutter cleaning, fence/gate repairs, brush and debris removal, handrail installations, and exterior house cleaning. In return, homeowners pay a one-time $50 fee to participate in the event, and are also asked to contribute at least two hours of sweat equity alongside the volunteers (accommodations are made for those who are not able to physically participate).
Recently, we served two homeowners in the Skyway area. The repair team, along with a small group of volunteers conducted exterior house cleaning, gate and fence repair, debris/brush removal, as well as a few other minor tasks. This work will help these homeowners maintain their homes in the long-term as well as set them up for the transition into fall.