Helping Seniors Stay Safe In Their Homes

We’re back with another edition of Good News Tues to spread a little joy from our Habitat family to yours. We’re all in this together. Here’s hoping this brings a little light to your day. 

Helping Seniors Stay Safe In Their Homes

For families in our community struggling with skyrocketing rent, housing-related illness, or overcrowded living situations, Habitat provides a path to safe, affordable homeownership. It’s an opportunity to build the stability, equity, and security that renting simply doesn’t offer. While we recognize the immense need for more affordable homeownership opportunities in our city (1 in 3 Milwaukee renters pay half or more of their income on housing), a growing program has begun to meet the needs of existing homeowners in the neighborhoods we serve.

Just a few short years ago, Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity launched our Critical Home Repair program. It was launched in response to a desire from homeowners in the community to address costly and critical home maintenance issues. Often times, this call was coming from senior citizens who’ve owned their home on Milwaukee’s north side for decades. However, for major issues like a leaking roof or serious plumbing issues, the ability to afford these repairs on a fixed income were out of reach.

For senior citizens Cora and Robert, their bathroom was in critical need of repair. It was affecting their quality of life and posing a serious safety hazard. The last thing any one of us need right now, particularly those at higher risk, is to feel in danger in their own home. Thanks to support from people like you, Milwaukee Habitat made it possible for Cora and Robert to repair their bathroom at a price they could afford.

In 2020, Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity has already provided Critical Home Repair on 35 homes on Milwaukee’s north side, with 31 additional projects currently active. The program offers a 0% interest loan on repairs, flexible repayment options, and up to 80% of the loan could be forgiven based on income. With it, we’re helping local families stay safe in their homes at a time when it’s more important than ever before.