Charlotte County group starts home repair program

By Crystal Vandegrift, Staff Writer

CHARLOTTE – Last fall a group from Charlotte County decided they wanted to help residents in the county who needed assistance with home repairs.

With that decision and several meetings later the Farmville Area Habitat for Humanity has teamed with a group of volunteers to offer a new program called A Brush with Kindness.

Though Habitat for Humanity is mostly known for building homes, this program is an exterior home preservation service that offers painting, landscaping, weatherstripping, minor repair services and installation of handicap ramps for qualified individuals. “Homeowners are selected based on income, need, and ability to repay the cost of materials used,” said Farmville Area Habitat for Humanity Executive Director, Jayne Johnson.

The program helps low-income homeowners impacted by age, disability and family circumstances, who struggle to maintain the exterior of their homes, reclaim their homes with pride and dignity.

A Brush with Kindness uses volunteer labor, donated materials whenever possible, and no-interest, short-term loans. Homeowners pay a small deposit up front, based on the estimated cost of the materials needed to do the project. Labor is donated by a team of skilled volunteers while the final cost of materials is paid back to fund a project for another homeowner.

According to Johnson, the Farmville office has already begun to receive calls from Charlotte County residents who are interested in the program. “We want to stress that this is not a handout,” said Johnson. “We do expect the homeowners to make small monthly payments and also help with the repairs.”

Johnson went on to explain if a homeowner is not physically able to help the volunteers with repairs there are other ways, such as getting other family members or friends to help or maybe fixing lunch for the workers.

Currently, A Brush with Kindness is offered to homeowners in Charlotte Court House, Keysville, Drakes Branch, Red House and Cullen. “It is the hope of the committee to include the full county at some point,” said Johnson.

Even though the Farmville Area Habitat for Humanity does cover parts of Charlotte County, to date, the organization has not built a home in the county. “We may start to build homes in the area at some point, but right now the focus is on doing home repairs,” added Johnson.

If you, or someone you know, own a home and need assistance with spring cleanup or other minor projects, call that Farmville Area office at 434-394-3001 to request an application.