(above) Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity announced a new program to help low-to-moderate income homeowners in Somerset and Hunterdon Counties resolve critical home safety repairs.
Home Safety Repair Program Designed to Help People In-Need
For many low-to-moderate income homeowners in Somerset and Hunterdon Counties, resolving critical home safety repairs is financially impossible. There are a significant number of residents who are living with water leaks and cold drafts due to failing roofs, doors and windows. Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity (RVHFH) has developed a new Home Safety and Repair Program with these residents in mind. RVHFH is actively seeking qualified Somerset and Hunterdon County homeowners in need of home safety repairs to apply for this program.
This program focuses on helping local homeowners to continue to live independently, safely and comfortably in their homes. RVHFH’s Home Safety and Repair Program serves low-to-moderate income homeowners of any age including veterans, people with disabilities and seniors. The program also assists non-profit organizations that offer permanent or temporary shelter.
Program projects have included: leaky roof repairs, weatherizing and increasing security of aging doors and windows, and home modifications and ramp installations for people with disabilities. One homeowner served by the program in Somerset says, “A volunteer installed a screen door and fixed the lock on my front door. Now my home is secure and water no longer comes in. I am so grateful and finally warm in my home.”
Ramp installations are a crucial part of what RVHFH does for the safety of those in wheelchairs. A recent program recipient was a local non-profit organization that needed a ramp built for the people they serve. The Executive Director there commented, “We truly appreciate the professional work of Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity. They built a beautiful ramp to make our building accessible for all clients.”
Other program services help senior residents “age in place.” Most seniors want to stay in their homes but many need to make costly repairs or improvements in order to do this. According to a family served by our program, “The Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity team who came out to install grab bars for my mom were like angels sent from heaven.”
“We truly appreciate the support we’ve received for this important program from volunteers and donors in our community, particularly Provident Bank Foundation and NJM Insurance Group, and look forward to expanding our impact in helping more people to have a decent place to live in Somerset and Hunterdon Counties,” says Jan Holmstrup, Executive Director of RVHFH.
If you or someone you know is low-to-moderate income and in need of home safety repairs, RVHFH’s website has specific income qualification criteria to review and a program application to fill out, at the following link: rvhabitat.org/projects-programs/home-safety-repair/. Interested program applicants can also leave a message at 908-704-0016, ext. 12 and a trained program volunteer will return the call.
This program and others like it could not exist without the support of people in the community. To make a donation to RVHFH, please visit rvhabitat.org or write a check payable to Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity and send to P.O. Box 6275, Bridgewater, NJ 08807.
Seeking to put God’s love into action, Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity (RVHFH) brings people together to build homes, communities and hope. In 29 years, RVHFH has built 53 homes in Hunterdon and Somerset counties. The affiliate also operates a Habitat ReStore in Manville, which is a store that sells gently used household goods to benefit the building and repair of more homes in our community. To learn more, visit rvhabitat.org or call 908-704-0016.
