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This Veterans Day, November 11th, 2023, we honor all of the brave men and women who served in the United States Armed Forces. At Habitat for Humanity, our mission is to provide independence through homeownership. We know that an accessible home is fundamental to alleviating daily barriers and providing a high quality of life. For disabled veterans, this could mean bathroom & accessibility
modifications, grab bars and ramps, shower
conversions, widening doorways, and more.
“The National Low Income Housing Coalition finds that 2.5 million veterans heading households are at least 55 years of age. Of those 2.5 million veterans, 24% have housing cost burdens. Unlike our older civilians, our older veterans are more likely to have a disability — 35% versus 28% — which may require home modifications, health, and other supportive services as they age.” (Habitat.org)
Here in Chester County, our Home Repair Program provides necessary repairs for seniors, low-income families, and people with disabilities. In addition, Habitat for Humanity international offers the Repair Corps program, and Veteran Builds specifically for qualifying veterans.
Habitat Home Repair Program
Habitat for Humanity of Chester County has expanded its mission to include a Home Repair program designed to help our partners address critical health and safety issues in their homes, accessibility issues for seniors and people with disabilities, and housing code violations. This program is open to all households that meet our eligibility guidelines. Our program typically serves seniors, low-income families, and people with disabilities who have limited resources to complete the repairs themselves.
Habitat for Humanity of Chester County provides a holistic, whole-house approach to repairs and prioritizes them based on the highest impact for our partners. This program is not meant for cosmetic changes – it is intended to improve the safety, accessibility, and health of residents and their homes.
“This program is absolutely wonderful! Receiving help with repairs to my house means everything. It’ll be so nice to live normal again and not worry if my ceiling is going to collapse. It’s amazing that great people still exist in this world. Thank you so much for helping! With being on a fixed income, it’s very difficult to live yet alone trying to find extra finances to repair the house. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
-Tammy, Phoenixville Resident.
To learn more about qualifying for our home repair program in Chester County, Pennsylvania, please visit our Habitat Home Repair webpage.
Home Repair for Veterans
Habitat for Humanity International provides a program specifically designed for veteran home repair. This is known as the Repair Corps Program. While the program's primary focus is on critical home repairs for veterans, they have expressed readiness to fund standard repairs on the homes of qualified veterans as long as homes with critical needs take precedence.
This program is designed to alleviate critical health, life, and safety issues or code violations in housing. Critical Home Repair examples include the repair of essential housing materials or components, a reconfiguration of space for accessibility, or the installation or extension of plumbing,
mechanical, or electrical systems.
Habitat for Humanity International also provides resources to host Veteran Builds. Through this initiative, Habitat organizations across the globe help to provide volunteer, homeownership, and employment opportunities to U.S. veterans, military service members, and their families. Over 320+ Habitat affiliates take part in Veterans Builds, partnering with veteran support organizations to meet veterans’ needs. There are 6,636+ veterans and families who have partnered with us to improve their housing since 2013.
ReStore Veteran Discount
Here in Chester County, our ReStores in Caln and Phoenixville offer a 20% discount to veterans each and every day. The ReStores are an affordable resource for home furnishings, housewares, decor, building materials, and more. This is a great way to save money on home essentials and give back to the community.
Learn more about the Chester County Habitat for Humanity ReStores and how to get involved online. Follow along with inventory, announcements, and updates on Facebook and Instagram: Caln Facebook and Instagram and Phoenixville Facebook and Instagram.