Habitat for Humanity adds restoration to services
By MARIANNE THOMASSON
marianne@newnan.com
Newnan-Coweta Habitat for Humanity not only builds houses these days, but restores existing houses.
The HANDS-Up (Housing and Neighborhood Development Strategies) is a new home repair initiative that was explained to the Newnan Kiwanis Club Tuesday at its weekly luncheon at the Newnan Country Club.
The new program is designed to “revitalize the appearance of the neighborhood, strengthen connections within communities and preserve Coweta’s existing housing stock.
Besides enhancing the look of a home, it makes repairs to improve health, life and safety issues or code violations for homeowners in need.
There are three categories in the program:
A Brush with Kindness — exterior home preservation/ beautification repairs.
Weatherization — interior and exterior repairs that reduce energy consumption and maximize energy efficiency.
Critical Home Repairs — interior and exterior repairs that may affect the health and safety of the occupants.
Homeowners who live in Coweta County may apply and veterans will be given priority over all other applicants. Veterans do not need to own the home, but it must be their primary residence for the past year and the homeowner will need to apply and be approved by Habitat.
Eight hours of minimum volunteer commitment and repayment for repairs are required.
The repayment amount is based on each homeowner’s financial situation and may be waived or reduced.
Approved applicants not qualifying for free or reduced repairs will be offered a no-interest loan with easy repayment plans.
