Critical Home Repair News: March 2023

Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity’s (COHFH) Critical Home Repair Program was born from our belief that everyone should have a decent place to live. The needs of safety, affordability and sustainability are prominent in our hearts, and we believe they’re vital to the strength of our community.

This month we want to recognize our veteran population. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, estimates state that there are currently about 258,556 veterans residing in Oklahoma – 8% of which live in poverty. With 34,943 veterans living in inadequate housing, we believe this number is too high and do what we can to help limited-income Oklahoma veterans.

Veteran Vincent’s Home

Our team was recently honored to help a community member, Vincent, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 12 years. He served on tours overseas as an infantry supply sergeant, a career planner and rifle-range coach. Seeking a better quality of life after a brutal Oklahoma summer without air-conditioning, he was referred to the Critical Home Repair program by 2-1-1 (Essential Community Services hotline). His disability and related income remained an obstacle in repairing his home. Vincent’s home needed a repaired A/C unit, a replacement bathroom vanity top and faucet, a kitchen sink faucet and a front door. Vincent has lived in his home for 16 years and we didn’t want to change that. Critical Home Repair was eager to help.

Reba

Our first project this month is in Luther, OK, located in far northeastern Oklahoma County on historic Route 66. Reba has lived in her home for 40 years. Reba’s house has uneven floors, with tiles coming up. She is fearful of getting cut on a sharp tile corner or falling with nobody home to help. Reba needs our help fixing the floor in the kitchen and bathroom, servicing the heat/air and replacing doors for weatherization.

Brenda

During the second week of March, we will be in Cleveland County. Brenda is planning to move her 90-year-old mother into her home and needs to add an accessibility ramp with grab bars to help with her mother’s mobility. Along with adding a ramp, we will also repair the flooring in the living room and bathroom and replace a toilet.

Shirley

The third week of the month we’ll return to the home of Shirley and her daughter’s home. They have lived in northeast Oklahoma City for the past 44 years. We’ll finish repairs to the exterior siding/trim, as well as painting and repairing the floors.

Martha

The final home this month belongs to Martha in northwest Oklahoma City. She has lived in her home for 22 years. Martha experienced a wheel-hub injury that crushed her foot, forcing her to put her entire savings towards surviving that traumatic experience. Martha states she was on the verge of liquidating everything she owned to finance a safe place to live and that “Critical Home Repair was her last hope.” We will be repairing the drywall in the bathroom/kitchen and repairing the home’s floors.

Get Involved

Together, Critical Home Repair provides a pathway for families to stay in their homes and contribute to a better quality of life in their communities. Our volunteers and donors are the heart of our program, and we are very thankful!

Volunteer spots fill up quickly and are limited due to the size of the home being repaired. Volunteer slots are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so please call or sign-up online ASAP by contacting CHR Volunteer Coordinator Chris Hearn, at (405) 409-5557, or send him an email at Chris.Hearn@cohfh.org. If you have a group you’d like to bring, please call, and set up a date in advance.

We’re also looking for licensed professionals who would like to donate heat and air, plumbing, electrical and/or roofing services. Just call Chris at (405) 409-5557.