Habitat for Humanity’s Critical Home Repair Program helps homeowners stay safe

June 20, 2023

Greater Rochester Habitat for Humanity celebrated a milestone recently with one of its newest programs aimed at keeping people’s homes safe and allowing them to live there longer.


The organization’s Critical Home Repair Program recently completed its 100th repair, in conjunction with National Homeowners and National Safety Month.

Abigail Blake, GRHFH family services director, said the home repair program started about two years ago; first in Monroe County and has since expanded into Ontario and Wayne counties with the recent merger of the organizations.


The work that has been done in the program ranges from the installation of a ramp, which costs a couple of thousand dollars, to more involved projects that cost up to $40,000, and include improvements such as new insulation, roofing and plumbing upgrades.


“We help keep the homes safe and habitable,” Blake said. “We are here to provide a little help to those who may not be able to keep up.”

Greater Rochester Habitat for Humanity offers affordable home repair services to qualified homeowners in the three counties so they can continue to live in safe, decent homes.


The work helps to preserve homes and revitalize neighborhoods, according to the organization.


To qualify, the property:

  • Must be located within the GRHFH service area
  • The home must be owner-occupied, single-family house or mobile home and the primary residence of the owner
  • The home is in disrepair or unsafe and GRHFH’s scope of work will significantly benefit the homeowner longevity in the property, and
  • The home needs repair to areas of concern for health and/or safety needs including weatherization, roofing, mobility assistance, heating or stability.


Blake said there are currently over 100 applications that the organization is working through.


Most of the applications are from senior citizens or people with disabilities, but there are also some from young families, she noted. The organization also works with veterans seeking home repairs.


Habitat received roughly $400,000 this year to put toward the home repair program and the organization is continually seeking additional funding for the program, Blake noted.

According to GRHFH Critical Home Repair Coordinator Robert Merz, most home repairs are done by volunteers and a staff site supervisor.


While much of the first year of the program focused on exterior home repairs due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization this year has been able to place a greater emphasis on critical interior improvements that make the homes safer, he said.


A large part of the program’s success is because of the base of volunteers the organization can draw from, he says, adding doing such volunteer work is a great community outreach or team building event for companies.


Merz has been overwhelmed by the response the program has received and is committed to serving as many people as possible.


“There’s so much we want to do and even though we can’t do it all, it’s nice to know we are making a difference,” he said.

Maria Sutton turned to the program for support.


Sutton, a city resident in her 70s who uses a walker and cane, was having difficulty navigating her front steps due to an unsafe porch railing.


Sutton turned to the Critical Repair Program for help.


Once Sutton was approved, the GRHFH repair crew not only built a ramp to replace the railing, but they also saw – and addressed – additional safety concerns in Sutton’s house.


The crew completed several projects, including replacing the bedroom fan and light, a damaged faucet and range hood, adding a grab bar in the bathroom and installing secondhand rails to the stairs. They also installed new smoke and carbon monoxide detectors as her old ones had aged out.


As a result, Sutton not only felt safer in her home, but believes the changes – which gave her a sense of pride – are helping revitalize her neighborhood.


“I am in awe of this program,” she said.
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