NRI Update/ Rehab and Repairs

APRIL 30, 2012

Starting in 2012, Habitat is weatherizing homes. We are part of the Weatherization Innovation Pilot Program (WIPP), made possible through a grant from the Department of Energy and Habitat International. Clean Energy Service Corps, Heart of Oregon’s Americorps program, works with Habitat staff to assess and install measures. Five homes have gone through the program. Each home is audited, to determine air penetrations and leakage. The home is also assessed for health and safety issues. Typical weatherization measures include air sealing and insulation. The outcome for the homeowner is a better performing, more comfortable home, with lower heating costs. For more information about how to qualify and apply for weatherization services: http://www.bendhabitat.org/construction/rehabs. Or contact Sheila Pyott, spyott@bendhabitat.org, of call 541.385.5387 x105.

NOVEMBER 15, 2011

A long time ReStore volunteer applied and qualified for an A Brush With Kindness repair project. On November 8, his old and leaky roof was removed. We discovered that the trusses were compromised, due to water damage. After repairing the trusses, the insulation was upgraded, and the roof was sheathed and shingled. In the words of the homeowner:

"With the new roof the house is about 10 degrees warmer. We had to turn our pellet stove down and the house is staying right around 69 to 70 at all time[s]. We don't hear it when it rains or squirrels run across the roof sounding like horses on the roof. I feel better knowing the trusses are good and strong now and the roof will hold up to old man winter. The solar tube added a lot of light to a dark family room. Sheila and Willie worked very hard to make it right and did a very good job. The roof is as strong or stronger the before.  THANK YOU VERY MUCH.”      Dennis J Hill 

Willie Farias Celestino Roofing and Energy Conservation Insulation did the specialized work for this project.

NOVEMBER 13, 2011

On Sunday, November 13th, the Prineville Police Department did a neighborhood cleanup, organized by Officer Dawn Kessi, with the help of Habitat for Humanity. Due to a generous grant from the Crook County Landfill, Habitat for Humanity was able to defray the cost for dumping 4860 pounds of refuse. Habitat loaned its trailers and dump truck. Five Habitat volunteers and eight volunteers from the Prineville PD spent their Sunday morning in the Mariposa neighborhood, collecting tires, appliances, yard debris, and more, from residents who were otherwise unable to dispose of their old junk.

In the words of Chief Michael Boyd, "Many of the folks we helped were seniors and had no way to haul off the stuff they had around their houses.”

We plan to do more cleanup projects, so please contact me (spyott@bendhabitat.org or 541.385.5387 x225) if you would like to help or need help.
-Sheila
 

OCTOBER 2011

Volunteers, including the VIPs, Clean Energy Service Corps, volunteers from Central Oregon Veterans Outreach, Calvary Chapel, and also Wells Fargo, have been busy in Prineville. Willard Fenderson qualified for a ramp, under the State Farm and Habitat for Humanity International grant program. Using this funding source, Habitat was able to build Mr. Fenderson a double sided ramp on the front of his home and a single ramp off the back.

Through the A Brush With Kindness program, Habitat painted the exterior of Jean Gibron’s home. Jim Dickinson and the Wells Fargo volunteers were instrumental in making this project happen.  We met Jim when we did a yard cleanup project on his property, which included rebuilding a pump house shed, putting up fencing around a vegetable garden, and taking debris to the landfill.  With the help of Calvary Chapel members, we spent one beautiful day in September getting things squared away on the Dickinson homestead. Our hope is that these projects help homeowners maintain the value of their home, as well as address safety and health issues.

Habitat has partnered with the USDA to help Lola Stephenson qualify for the USDA’s 504 grant and loan program. Mrs. Stephenson qualified for repairs including replacement of her roof, under floor insulation, replacement of doors and windows, and a new heating system. The dollar value for these projects totaled approx. $14,000, financed by the USDA in part through a grant program, and in part through a loan program.  Lola’s home will be warmer this winter and her heating bill should be lower.

We work with the Energy Trust of Oregon for free services such as duct and air sealing. Duct and air sealing lowers heating bills and makes homes more comfortable. Energy Trust of Oregon has incentive programs which help lower income homeowners afford energy saving measures, including a comprehensive audit of the home’s efficiency.  Habitat is a Trade Ally with Energy Trust and we also work with other Trade Allies, to make sure homeowners can access services and incentives. Over the last year, Habitat has helped 20 homeowners access these services. 

When funding is not available through grants, we will finance the cost of qualified projects, at no interest. We replaced the roof on Mike Ebbert’s home. Three layers of roofing material was removed, sheathing was added, and 30 year architectural shingles.  Mike’s roof is now leak free! Mike volunteered with Habitat, helping with the Fenderson ramps and the Algonquian rehab.

If you would like to help, please sign up or become a volunteer: http://www.bendhabitat.org/volunteercrookco.  If you are interested in services, please see details at: http://www.bendhabitat.org/crookcounty/NRI.