Habitat for Humanity volunteers help local homeowners with
repairs
Habitat for Humanity of San Benito County, Inc. recently began a
program called the
”
Brush with Kindness
”
program to help low-income homeowners make repairs to their
properties.
Habitat for Humanity volunteers help local homeowners with repairs
Habitat for Humanity of San Benito County, Inc. recently began a program called the “Brush with Kindness” program to help low-income homeowners make repairs to their properties.
The program focuses on exterior home repair services (painting, minor exterior repairs, landscaping, and exterior clean-up) performed by volunteers and led by Habitat for Humanity staff.
Over the last few months, homeowners have applied for the “Brush with Kindness” program. Habitat for Humanity has received, reviewed and approved four applicants to date.
Habitat for Humanity’s mission is to build homes and sell them through zero-interest loans to those who have had difficulty qualifying. The propective homeowners would often work alongside volunteers to build the home.
“Right now, though, there are too many empty homes due to foreclosures, so it wouldn’t make much sense to build another,” said Niessa Bauder-Guaracha, president of Habitat for Humanity of San Benito County. “So, we’re involved in a number of beautification and renovation projects.”
Bauder-Guaracha said after Hollister resident Shawna Janic applied for the program, Habitat for Humanity arranged to make a number of repairs and renovations inside and outside of Janic’s home.
“We completely landscaped her front yard with new shrubs and groundcover, trimmed existing shrubbery and repaired the sprinkler system and added a water controller,” Bauder-Guaracha said. “We also repaired her fence, painted the house inside and out, replaced a couple of windows and installed an alarm system.”
Habitat for Humanity began repairs on another home selected this year, located on Fourth Street in San Juan Bautista, through the “Brush with Kindness” program. The applicant had a substantial water leak causing a high monthly water bill.
Through the program, staff from A&N Plumbing were able to repair the waterline at the home of Karen Barko and Patricia Sell-Loe.
“We should be able to save these homeowners at least $100 per month on their water bill,” said Christopher Valenzuela, a Habitat board member.
The “Brush with Kindness” grant program averages about $1,000 per qualified household.
Applicants who have been issued approvals for the program are residents of San Juan Bautista and Hollister.
Valenzuela said anyone interested in applying for a “Brush with Kindness” grant can find an application on the organization’s Web site: www.hfhsbc.org.
“They will need to submit an application along with basic documentation such as income and proof that the property is owner occupied and it is being utilized as their principle residence,” he said.
According to Valenzuela, San Benito County’s measure of low income for 2009, for a family of four, is $64,000 in gross annual income.
“These are pretty generous income limits,” he said.
Habitat for Humanity of San Benito County, which became an official Habitat for Humanity affiliate in 2005, has spent the past few years raising capital through various volunteer efforts, fundraising events and grant awards.
By raising capital over the past few years, Habitat for Humanity has been able to offer a residential homeownership rehabilitation program that includes a zero-interest loan to qualified low-income households within San Benito County.
Priority for the Brush with Kindness program is given to low-income homeowners with disabilities and senior citizens, but the Habitat for Humanity board will also consider applications from other homeowners impacted by family circumstances that make it hard to maintain their homes.
The program focuses on exterior home repairs such as painting, landscaping and exterior clean up.
Groups of five to 10 volunteers work alongside able-bodied homeowners. The program provides tools and materials to the volunteers.
Habitat throws Masquerade Ball
The Habitat for Humanity of San Benito County, Inc. will host a Masquerade Ball Oct. 9, at San Juan Oaks. Tickets are $50. No-host cocktails at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m., with dancing to follow. Music will be by The Ramblers. Costumes are welcomed, but not required. Masks will be sold at the door. For more information about tickets, call 635-9904.
