Habitat to offer low-cost home repairs to qualified, low-income homeowners

Ventura County Habitat for Humanity will now begin repairing homes in partnership with qualified, low-income homeowners.  The new housing repair program called “Preserve a Home”, is rolling out “A Brush with Kindness”, which is aimed at providing simple exterior (only) repairs such as painting, window, minor siding and trim repair, landscaping and/or clean-up, brush/junk removal to low-income homeowners in need.

Habitat for Humanity’s “A Brush with Kindness” has a goal to serve low-income homeowners who struggle to maintain the exterior of their homes.  The work is done by volunteers who use donated materials whenever possible.  The homeowner must meet have a demonstrated need, willingness to partner with Habitat and the ability to re-pay a no interest loan.  Payments made by the partner family are placed in a revolving fund to help ABWK serve others in need.   

“Preserve a Home and its “A Brush with Kindness” is part of our larger Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative (NRI). This initiative gives us a great opportunity to help more families in need, as well as have an impact on the entire neighborhood” said John Kistler, Construction Manager, Ventura County Habitat for Humanity. “Helping people repair and maintain their homes fits in seamlessly with Habitat's core mission of making decent, affordable housing available to low-income families.”

A Brush with Kindness is underwritten by a grant from Valspar, Habitat’s National Paint Partner.

In continuing with the two current Habitat full home builds already underway in Piru CA, the first two homes of the “A Brush With Kindness” Program will be completed there as well.  And in the coming months, two homes in Thousand Oaks, Ventura, Camarillo, Fillmore and Simi Valley (for a total of 12), will also be served. 

Pre-applications for all 12 locations can be filled out and submitted on-line or are available for download at www.habitatventura.org. 

About Habitat for Humanity International

Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built more than 300,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1.5 million people. For more information, visit www.habitat.org.

About Ventura County Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County has been selected as one of 163 affiliates nationwide to participate in Habitat for Humanity International’s initial phase of its Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative. That effort will focus on improving housing conditions while partnering with other community organizations to provide services that enhance the overall quality of life across struggling neighborhoods.

Habitat for Humanity's NRI and our local “Preserve A Home” initiative will enable Habitat affiliates like ours to serve more families by responding to community housing needs with an expanded array of products, services and partnerships.  Habitat will remain committed to building new energy-efficient homes, but will broaden its scope of services with such diverse housing solutions as “A Brush with Kindness,” a program focusing on simple exterior repairs.

Habitat affiliates have an important role in neighborhood revitalization efforts. We know the needs of our community and the transformative effect safe, decent housing can have on a family. We also know that just one decent home in a blighted neighborhood, while a good start, is not the only help the community needs.  The NRI was designed to help U.S. affiliates as they work to transform neighborhoods using a holistic approach— joining residents, nonprofits, businesses, local governments and communities of faith to create and implement a shared vision of revitalization. 

Note from Conejo Joe: Here are the income guidelines for the program:

Income Guidelines
Please use the income guideline chart listed below to determine if you meet the income guidelines to qualify for the program.

The income guidelines listed below fall below between 30%-50% of the median income of Ventura County. Compare it to your family’s total yearly income, before taxes and from all sources.

Adults in the Home                 Gross Income Between
              1                                 $18,400 – $30,650
              2                                 $21,000 – $35,000
              3                                 $23,650 – $39,400
              4                                 $26,250 – $43,750
              5                                 $28,350 – $47,250
              6                                 $30,450 – $50,750
              7                                 $32,550 – $54,250
              8                                 $34,650 – $57,750