Habitat Oregon visits to see our repair program first hand, learn why it’s a model for the nation.
West Tuality Habitat for Humanity had a visit from our Habitat for Humanity of Oregon colleagues last week so they could see first hand why our repair program for vulnerable homeowners is so high-performing and a model not just for the state, but for all the USA.
The visitors observed a home assessment, saw how some simple changes to a home in Cornelius (changing out carpet to a hard surface floor, a fence along a public pathway that went along a homeowners yard, a new floor in a bathroom) transformed the lives of a family and asked questions of our incredible home repair staff about how needs are identified and project progress and challenges are reported. They were able to talk directly with homeowners and see staff in action as they used a home assessment interview and home tour to build trust with a homeowner and her family.
Our home preservation program serves low-income people, military veterans, seniors and people with disabilities who are homeowners in western Washington County. Repair projects range from yard work and painting and building access ramps and installing grab bar to major critical repairs, like roof or floor replacement. The program is designed to address critical needs that are needed to make the home safer and more secure, and to enable at-risk homeowners to stay in their homes longer. The program has a small staff of employees and a core group of highly skilled volunteers who address homeowner needs, and the program also contracts with professional plumbers, electricians and others as needed.
“Since 2018, we have helped almost 400 homeowners in Western Washington County,” said Laura Altermatt, who manages the home repair program and also helps coordinate neighborhood cleanups. “We have made homes safer for seniors and people with mobility issues and other disabilities, and we have helped people age in the place they call home. The needs of these folks are tremendous in our area and, indeed, all over the USA. Sometimes, just installing a ram or putting grab bars in a bathroom is all it takes to transform a person’s life at home.”
What makes our program exemplary?
We make it easy for homeowners to apply and we accommodate the way they prefer to apply: they can download and print out the application, we can mail it to any homeowner who asks, or they can pick up such at the ReStore (the latter two ways are, by far, the most popular), and they can submit it by mail, by dropping it off at the ReStore or by attaching it to an email (by mail or dropping it off at our offices are the most popular, by far).
The web site is clear on exactly who qualifies and how to enroll in the program. It’s used not only by clients but by staff talking with clients, so all staff have the same message.
The employee managing the program is an expert in project management and is trained in working with and assessing the needs of seniors, has built trust with clients through clear communications and quick response and acknowledgement of what they have shared with her, is onsite regularly to check in with the repair team, writes monthly reports that not only share numbers of clients served, a list of tasks completed, a budget, etc., but also shares profiles of two or three clients served and how repairs have affected their lives, and this report is shared with all administrative staff, which provides content for grant proposals and community outreach. She also regularly identifies opportunities for groups of volunteers to contribute a half day of service to home and neighborhood projects.
The employees providing the repair service are highly experienced in construction and a variety of home repairs and home assessments, they put a priority on building trust with clients through clear communications and they provide quality work. They also know exactly how this program fits within the overall Habitat for Humanity vision and mission and are committed to ensuring the code of conduct is understood by all work crews. They also support a team of core volunteers who assist twice weekly in repairs and installations involving ramps, fencing, flooring and grab bars every week, as well as one-time groups who contribute a half day of service to home and neighborhood projects.
Time management. With a minimal staff and an army of volunteers, this program is able to undertake a high volume of repairs throughout Western Washington County.
You can help us help even more vulnerable home owners in Western Washington County by donating financially.
West Tuality Habitat for Humanity is a local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International and was formed in 1991. In addition to the affordable housing program and critical home repair program, the affiliate also operates a ReStore in Forest Grove, selling gently-used, donated furniture, appliances, home furnishings and leftover building supplies. These sales help fund its Habitat activities in the area.
For more information about donating financially, volunteering or applying to be a program participant, visit the West Tuality Habitat for Humanity web site at www.westtualityhabitat.org or call (503) 359-8459. There is also information available at the Forest Grove ReStore at 3731 Pacific Avenue.
