Home preservation on Habitat agenda now

Putnam County Habitat for Humanity is starting to do home repairs in addition to building homes.

The PCHH repair program is for under-resourced homeowners who struggle to maintain exterior/interior of their home.

The Home Preservation effort serves families in need using Habitat’s basic tenets of eligibility: Demonstrated need, willingness to partner and ability to pay.

Some of the repairs can include painting (exterior/interior), roof repair, floor repair, heating and air conditioning, plumbing, some electrical, toilets, landscaping, etc.

Owner-occupied homeowners must complete an application and submit require documents to begin this process. Federal laws requires PCHH to do all checks on an application as you would on applying for a mortgage, although Habitat requirements are not as stringent as a bank.

“Sweat equality” is required on all jobs. The timeframe of a repair, determines how much sweat equality is required. For disabled persons, there other tasks available based upon a person’s disability.

Payments for the repairs are based upon a three-year period and no interest.

Also, if you are interested in helping with the Home Preservation program to make a difference in Putnam County, volunteer or make a donation to offset the homeowner’s cost. PCHH is always needing help with fundraisers and at the construction site.

Persons needing repairs may call Putnam County Habitat for Humanity Executive Officer Nancy Rosa at 653-5360 or putnamhabitat@gmail.com.