Neighborhood Revitalization & Home Repair

NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION & HOME REPAIR

Sometimes existing homeowners need a little help to keep their homes in safe and working condition, and our Home Repair Program is here to lend a hand. We help renew Morris County homes and communities with this neighborhood revitalization program that identifies properties in need of rehabilitation, aiding families who may be unable to make repairs themselves.

The Home Repair Program serves low-income families by performing all components of interior and exterior construction, at properties that are owner-occupied, with the homeowner paying only the cost of the materials needed, a small administrative fee, the cost of any contract labor, such as plumbers or electricians, and any permit fees associated with the project.

The Home Repair Program, through the Neighborhood Revitalization Program, also works in communities to help revitalize neighborhoods and help residents with streetscaping, neighborhood cleanups and minor home repairs, such as painting porches, installing ramps or fixing, repairing or painting siding.

Watch a video to learn more HERE

Morris Habitat offers several home repair products in its Home Repair Program:

  • 1. Critical Home Repair

    The Home Repair Program’s Critical Home Repair component offers major and minor home repairs and improvements necessary for restoring and maintaining safe and healthy living conditions, weatherization purposes and maintaining home values. Volunteer teams work under the direction of Habitat staff and volunteer supervisors to complete the repairs. Morris Habitat for Humanity has completed 192 home repairs since its inception in 1985. The Home Repair program accepts home repair projects that do not exceed $10,000 and should be targeted to one specific repair per application.

    Getting started: 4 easy steps!

    1. Potential applicants should read the requirements for Home Repair
    2. Fill out the intake form or email home.repair@morrishabitat.org for an application.
    3. Once the application is received and reviewed, the Home Repair Program Coordinator will inspect the home to assess the project requirements and cost, which are added to the application.
    4. The applicant’s information and the project requirements and cost will be evaluated for qualification for the Critical Home Repair program. A status letter will be sent to the applicant within 30 days.
    5. Once funding is secured for eligible projects, a contract will be signed and work will be scheduled.
  • 2. Aging in Place

    The Home Repair Program’s Aging in Place component offers a special “Home Support for Seniors” program that makes accessibility and energy efficiency improvements for Morris County households with a member aged 62 and over. Volunteer teams work under the direction of Habitat staff and volunteer supervisors to make changes that will enable seniors to move around safely inside their homes and complete the routines of daily living. By doing this, the program will help senior residents continue to live in their own homes longer and maintain their independence. The program began in October 2016 with a Capacity Building grant from Habitat for Humanity International.

    Getting started: 4 easy steps!

    1. Potential applicants should read the requirements for Aging in Place.
    2. Fill out the intake form or email home.repair@morrishabitat.org for an application.
    3. Once the application is received and reviewed, The Home Repair Program Coordinator will inspect the home to assess the project requirements and cost, which are added to the application.
    4. The applicant’s information and the project requirements and cost will be evaluated for qualification for the Aging in Place program. A status letter will be sent to the applicant within 30 days.
    5. Once funding is secured for eligible projects, a contract will be signed and work will be scheduled.
  • 3. Quick Response

    The Home Repair Program’s Quick Response Program was developed after Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The program offers home protection services immediately following a disaster (including hurricane, flood or fire). The program’s goal is to help homeowners protect their home from further damage by protecting it from the elements. Examples of the work that could be provided are: tarping roofs, pumping basements of water or boarding up broken windows. This is not a home repair service; this service is only offered to help prevent further damage. Homeowners would be responsible for any materials needed (tarp, boards for windows). Project should not cost more than $1000.

    Applying: 4 easy steps!

    1. Potential applicants should read the requirements for Home Repair
    2. Fill out the intake form or email home.repair@morrishabitat.org for an application.
    3. Once the application is received and reviewed, the Home Repair Program Coordinator or Habitat volunteer supervisor will inspect the home to assess the project requirements, materials and cost, which are added to the application within 24 hours.
    4. The applicant’s information and the project requirements and cost will be evaluated for qualification for the Quick Response Program. A status letter will be sent via email or fax to the applicant within 1-2 days.
    5. Once funding is secured for eligible projects, a contract will be signed and work will be scheduled and completed within 7 business days.
  • 4. Weatherization

    The Home Repair Program’s Weatherization component offers weatherization projects and improvements necessary for making homes more energy efficient. Volunteer teams work under the direction of Habitat staff and volunteer supervisors to complete the repairs.

    Getting started: 4 easy steps!

    1. Potential applicants should read the requirements for Weatherization
    2. Fill out the intake form or email home.repair@morrishabitat.org for an application.
    3. Once the application is received and reviewed, the Home Repair Program Coordinator will inspect the home to assess the project requirements and cost, which are added to the application.
    4. The applicant’s information and the project requirements and cost will be evaluated for qualification for the Weatherization program. A status letter will be sent to the applicant within 30 days.
    5. Once funding is secured for eligible projects, a contract will be signed and work will be scheduled.
  • 5. A Brush with Kindness

    The Home Repair Program’s A Brush with Kindness (ABWK) is a neighborhood revitalization/stabilization program designed to assist existing homeowners and neighborhoods with minor repairs, maintenance, painting, and landscaping or streetscaping. Projects are typically very minor and should cost less than $1000. A Brush with Kindness is a new program to Morris Habitat for Humanity that began projects in February 2013.

    Getting started: 4 easy steps!

    1. Potential applicants should read the FAQs for A Brush with Kindness
    2. Fill out the intake form or email home.repair@morrishabitat.org for an application.
    3. Once the application is received and reviewed, the Home Repair Program Coordinator will inspect the home to assess the project requirements and cost, which will be added to the application.
    4. The applicant’s information and the project requirements and cost will be evaluated for qualification for the A Brush with Kindness program. A status letter will be sent to the applicant within 30 days.
    5. Once funding is secured for eligible projects, a contract will be signed and work will be scheduled.
  • 6. Neighborhood Revitalization

    Morris Habitat’s Neighborhood Revitalization Program offers a chance for neighborhoods throughout Morris County to improve their community through a partnership with Morris Habitat, neighbors, local organizations and businesses and other local entities. This will happen through community engagement and offers an opportunity for community cleanups, streetscaping, community parks and other community-based projects. Through the Neighborhood Revitalization program, individual homeowners could also qualify for reduced-cost repair products, such as painting porches, installing ramps or fixing, repairing or painting siding.

    If you think your neighborhood would benefit from Neighborhood Revitalization, or to see if your neighborhood would qualify for the Neighborhood Revitalization Program, contact Spencer Reckford at 973-891-1934, or by emailing: home.repair@morrishabitat.org.

  • 7. Wharton Repair Program

    The Wharton Repair Program, a collaboration between the Borough of Wharton and Morris Habitat for Humanity, began in 2015 to provide home repairs for lower-income property owners who reside in the Borough of Wharton, who cannot obtain the repairs in any other way in order to continue to live in a decent, affordable home. The goal of the program is to provide homeowners with a means to address much needed repairs and upgrades to their homes, as well as making homes handicap accessible. Our focus for the Wharton Repair Program is a series of short-term projects dedicated to repairing homes of those who, due to a combination of financial hardship, age, and disability, cannot do the work.

    Morris Habitat for Humanity works to provide services to the entire community through collaborating, planning and participating in neighborhood cleanup days, community forums and streetscaping activities. The program provides home repair services such as roof replacement, furnace replacement, handicap access and other major repairs related to health or safety. All improvements are completed by Morris Habitat volunteers under the guidance of our professional construction supervisors. The Wharton Repair Program utilizes funds from the Borough’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund, volunteers and donations for home repairs, helping to lower the costs of needed repairs while assisting lower income homeowners and residents to continue to live independently and securely in their homes and community.

    The Wharton Repair Program is designed to revitalize the appearance of the neighborhood, encourage positive connections within the community and most importantly, help preserve the Borough’s affordable housing stock.

    Getting started: 4 easy steps!

    1. Potential applicants should read the application flyer and the requirements for the Wharton Repair Program.
    2. Fill out the intake form or email home.repair@morrishabitat.org for an application.
    3. Once the application is received and reviewed, the Home Repair Program Coordinator will inspect the home to assess the project requirements and cost, which are added to the application.
    4. The applicant’s information and the project requirements and cost will be evaluated for qualification for the Wharton Repair program. A status letter will be sent to the applicant within 30 days.
    5. Once funding is secured for eligible projects, a contract will be signed and work will be scheduled.
  • 8. Handicap Ramps & Accessibility

    Morris  Habitat for Humanity is pleased to announce a partnership with National Ramp to quickly and easily install aluminum ramps for qualified homeowners.

    Homeowners needing a ramp to easily and safely access their home and gain independence are urged to contact us for additional information or to complete an application.

    The application can be found here

    Homeowners must meet income eligibility requirements.

Questions?

To find out if your home qualifies, or to obtain an application, fill out the Intake Form below, or contact Mark Odenwelder at 973-891-1934, home.repair@morrishabitat.org.