A Safer Porch, a Stronger Sense of Home 

A Safer Porch, a Stronger Sense of Home 

A few years ago, Angela received a flyer in the mail about Milwaukee Habitat’s Critical Home Repair Program. Through the program, homeowners can receive 0% interest loans and up to 80% of project costs could be covered based on income. 

At the time, her front porch needed expensive repairs, so she took a leap of faith and reached out to Habitat. 

Today, Angela has a safe and reliable front porch where she can relax without worrying about someone getting hurt. After partnering with Milwaukee Habitat for this repair, Angela found a new sense of comfort in her home. 

“It felt safer and I actually felt more comfortable sitting on the porch and utilizing it a little more,” Angela said. “I’m not having to worry about the mailman walking up the stairs, and it aesthetically looks better.”

When Angela is not spending time on her porch, she keeps busy with her two kids, baking, gardening, spending time outside, playing with her dog, or doing yoga. She also works in the mental health field and serves as a Girl Scout troop leader for her daughter’s troop. 

“I’m a firm believer in keeping busy,” Angela said. 

After getting her porch repaired, Angela knew that other areas of the home needed attention. She learned that homeowners can participate in Milwaukee Habitat’s Critical Home Repair Program twice in their lifetime. 

“I knew I needed gutters, so I said let’s go for it,” Angela said. 

Now, Angela is in the midst of her second home repair with Milwaukee Habitat. This time, she is having gutters installed along with other needed repairs around her home. 

“I can go through Habitat with a no interest loan,” Angela said. “That’s a huge relief.”

Angela bought her home in 2014 from the city. Today, she lives there with her 12-year-old daughter; her adult child has since moved out. Her daughter is excited about the repairs.

“She is excited; she really is,” Angela said. “I want her to feel more comfortable.” 

For Angela, taking care of her home is about more than creating a comfortable place for her family. She believes that maintaining a home can also have an impact on the entire neighborhood. 

“The neighborhood looks better and it shows people in the area that you care,” Angela said. “When a homeowner does things to make the property look better, nicer, it shows that ‘oh, someone cares.’”

What started with a flyer in the mail has grown into a safer, more comfortable home and a renewed sense of pride for Angela and her family.