Restoring Home

Restoring Home

Catherine’s family home in Milwaukee has stood for more than a century, carrying generations of family memories. Built in the early 1900s, and in her family since 1957, it has been her lifelong home. Over time, years of wear and tear caught up. A bathroom converted for her aging mother had water damage that made the shower unusable. 

“We couldn’t use the shower anymore,” Catherine said. “When you used the shower, it would leak into the basement.”

The roof, last replaced more than twenty years ago, was also showing signs of failure.

“I can see in the ceiling that there are issues with the roof,” Catherine said.

Catherine knew she needed to do something to fix these issues, but was overwhelmed by her options. 

“I would have refinanced, which I didn’t want to do,” Catherine said. “I would have refinanced and then started looking for contractors.”

Before she took those steps, Catherine found Milwaukee Habitat’s Critical Home Repair Program, which provided the help she needed. Through the program, up to 80% of the project costs can be covered based on income and there are 0% loans. The upstairs bathroom is being fully repaired with a new shower, vanity, exhaust fan, and updated lighting. The roof replacement will protect the home from further damage.

For Catherine, these repairs mean more than a functional bathroom and a secure roof; they restore comfort and usability to a home that has been at the center of her family’s life for generations. She has already recommended the program to neighbors and coworkers, praising its zero interest support. 

“It’s help,” she says simply, “This is a program that will help you.”