Minor Home Repair Program: Protecting Quality of Life
The need:
· In unincorporated Broward County, there is a wait list of 1 year
for requested home repairs.
· In Miramar there are ~1,000 people on the municipal repair wait list.
· No more applicants to the wait list are currently being accepted.
· There is a modest emergency repair program (funds are usually exhausted
within 3 months).
· Many low-income homeowners do not have the money to pay for urgent home
repairs.
· Most of the elderly and disabled low-income homeowners do not have the
skills and/or strength to perform those urgent home repairs.
· Most urgent home repairs remain unresolved and can quickly deteriorate
into adversely affecting one’s quality of life, including unsafe and unsanitary
conditions.
· In unincorporated Broward County, the most common request is roof repair
and the associated improvements. The average cost for that repair is ~$15,000,
not including the administrative costs.
· For some cases, home replacement is a better alternative than home repair.
This is a very expensive housing solution, which can consume considerable public
housing funds.
What is at Risk?
Without intervention within the process of missed routine home maintenance
to un-addressed home repair to resultant unsafe/unhealthy conditions, the cost
to health and property becomes increasingly expensive to solve. The sooner
the intervention, the lower the cost to the residents and to society.
The Plan:
Jointly work with the public & private sector, community service organizations and non-profit entities to identify and respond to communities and homes that have urgent home repair needs (preferably that do not require permits). Some examples would include:
· Repair leaking kitchen sinks, faucets, water & drain lines
· Repair or replace faulty interior and exterior doors
· Provide minor electrical improvements
· Repair kitchen cabinets
· Seal against exterior weather and bug penetration
· Installation of home safety modifications, to reduce falls-at-home.
Benefits:
· Improve quality of life conditions that include comfort, safety and
accessibility.
· Allow homeowners to remain in their home and maintain affordable housing
stock.
· Provide for investment protection (which is the principle financial
asset for most Americans).
· Reduce the cost to one’s health and medical expenses due to unsafe & unsanitary
conditions.
· Helps to protect neighborhood value, appearance and quality of life.
· Reduce potential code violations and penalties.
Rebuilding
Together Broward County, Inc.
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Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301
phone: 954-462-6200 ext.#203
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