Helping neighbors stay safe in their own homes
The Habitat for Humanity of Laramie County Repairs Program offers critical home repairs and modifications that help homeowners maintain their properties and age-in-place comfortably and safely. Our services range from maintenance repairs to essential home modifications, such as accessibility upgrades, which allow seniors and individuals with disabilities to live independently for longer.
To qualify, homeowners must have an income below 80% of the area median income (AMI), occupy the home they own, and be willing to contribute sweat equity to the project. Sweat equity requirements vary based on individual abilities, ensuring that all participants can actively contribute to the improvement of their homes.
Please note that assistance through the Repairs Program is dependent on the availability of funding. While we strive to serve as many homeowners as possible, funding limitations may affect the number and type of repairs projects we can complete each year.
Leslie Piel
The Piel family knows hard times. In 2004 they faced every parent's worst fear with the loss of their son, Brian. In their grief, another heartache emerged when daughter, Leslie, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. This neurological disorder impacts patients in various ways, for Leslie it meant the rapid loss of mobility, the need for a wheelchair, and a life of caregiving by her parents.
The Piels’ lovingly care for their daughter. They’ve spent years helping her to and from the house with a handmade ramp built from wooden pallets. The Piel’s home is built into a hillside, which made the ramp extend from the back door to the front yard due to the steep grade. Through the winter months the ramp was very unsafe for use and had deteriorated over the years.
Now in their 70s, living on a fixed income, the Piels’ were struggling and worried how they would continue to keep Leslie safe at home. They heard about Habitat’s Home Repair program and reached out for hopeful options. Habitat’s Program Coordinator, Daffney Sandoval, determined a new ADA compliant ramp would be nearly impossible with the steep grade of the property. “The Piels’ define putting family first; they never gave up on taking care of their daughter.” Not giving up, Habitat staff wondered if a wheelchair platform lift would be a safer option for the Piel’s.
This would not be a simple project, but the Habitat team, experienced in project planning, got to work on the logistics. A new staircase to the front door, with a platform big enough for a wheelchair to turn, was constructed and the lift was installed early November 2023 after months of planning. The Piels’ cooked for the construction crew and watched them work, feeling blessed to be able to continue caring for their daughter in the home they worked so hard to own!
In recent years, we have seen the need for repairs to make homes safer, healthier, and more secure increase drastically. Currently, Habitat is working on twenty repairs for local families with new applications coming in every month. Your generosity and support builds impact within the lives of those we serve.
Home Repairs Success Stories
Mr. H
Mr. H is a disabled Veteran who lives with PTSD and Anxiety. Our repairs program has assisted him with a number of repairs inside his home, but the outside caused him to feel overwhelmed. He worried about tree limbs falling on neighborhood children and he struggled to get his trash cans to the curb.
Habitat Repairs volunteers from the community and FE Warren Airforce Base came ready to help! A crew of about 20 volunteers spent the day cutting down dead trees, clearing brush, and removing debris from the property. Now this Veteran is able to feel a little less stress about his home.
Gerry and Margaret
Gerry purchased his home in 1995 and he and Margaret have lived there since blending their families together 22 years ago. Now wheelchair bound, Gerry has a hard time getting around the home and can no longer access the backyard, where the concrete steps have become detached from the home, causing water to leak into the basement. Habitat Repairs will replace the old carpeting with flooring to improve his mobility, replace the concrete deck and install a ramp for Gerry. We'll also replace the damaged dry wall and do some minor electrical repairs. Finally, when the weather permits, volunteers will help the family with some yard work and fence repair.
With your help, this veteran family will continue to age in place right where they want to be- in their own home.
Need help with repairs on your home?
Apply now.
Thank you to our Sponsors!
