Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity Choptank will host their 3rd home maintenance workshop for older adults on Tuesday, October 29, 2019 – this will be the first workshop held in Talbot County. This event offers a fun, informative opportunity for older adults and family members who want to live in their home as they age. Topics include hands on tips for preventative home maintenance, when to call in a professional, how to find resources to help with home repair costs, and how to find good, reliable help when you need it. This free event will take place at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 100 Peachblossom Road in Easton; the doors will open at 5:30 PM with the program starting at 6:00 PM.

The AARP Foundation’s “Here to Stay: Home Upkeep for All” workshop is a part of Habitat for Humanity’s national Aging in Place program. Habitat Choptank has been invested in this program since 2015 and is one of only three Habitat affiliates nationwide chosen to implement and test the AARP Foundation’s pilot “Here to Stay” program. The aim of this program is to improve quality of life for older Americans through home repair and modifications that foster a safe, livable and lasting environment to age in their home and community – to build strength, stability and self-reliance.

Photo by Jill Jasuta

In Habitat Choptank’s two county service area, housing repair is a priority for local government and residents. Residents who have lived in homes for decades without any issues find themselves struggling with steps, staircases and other exterior repairs which make senior residents especially vulnerable. This workshop aims to offer important information about necessary resources that help keep people safe, healthy and secure, and allow them to age in place.

RSVP to the “Here to Stay: Home Upkeep for All” workshop on October 29^th in Easton at 410-476-3204 or familyservices@habitatchoptank.org. Event sponsored by Habitat for Humanity Choptank and the AARP Foundation.

For more information about this initiative, to make a donation that benefits our local community, or volunteer on home repair projects, call 410-476-3204 or visit www.HabitatChoptank.org.

About Habitat Choptank

Since 1992, Habitat Choptank has made home ownership possible for 82 families and has completed critical health and safety repairs in partnership with over 179 qualifying homeowners. At present, 12 homes are under construction in Dorchester and Talbot Counties. Income qualifying homebuyers are offered access to affordable mortgage financing in order to purchase a new construction or rehabbed home from the nonprofit’s project inventory. After completing “sweat equity” hours, attending pre-homeownership classes, and meeting debt reduction and savings goals, these individuals and families will purchase homes that they helped construct and assume the full responsibilities of homeownership including maintaining their home, paying property taxes and repaying their mortgage over 30 to 33 years. Habitat accepts applications for its homeownership and repair programs throughout the year. For more information, to make a donation that benefits our local community, or volunteer, call 410-476-3204 or visit www.HabitatChoptank.org.

About AARP Foundation

AARP Foundation works to end senior poverty by helping vulnerable older adults build economic opportunity and social connectedness. As AARP’s charitable affiliate, we serve AARP members and nonmembers alike. Bolstered by vigorous legal advocacy, we spark bold, innovative solutions that foster resilience, strengthen communities and restore hope. AARP Foundation. For a future without senior poverty.

Habitat for Humanity Choptank is challenging women from around the community to raise a hammer to help create safe and affordable housing in partnership with a local working family. The nonprofit home builder is announcing plans for its next Women Build house, with the goal of completing a single family home that is built and funded entirely by women. The start of construction is schedule for 2015 with a groundbreaking to take place during National Women Build Week in May.

To help build momentum for this project, Habitat Choptank will be hosting special build days and fundraising events over the next year like those held during the most recent National Women Build Week. Over the course of that week, women volunteers of all ages and backgrounds came out to help with final landscaping on a single family home at 707 Wright Street in Cambridge which has since been sold. Volunteers also worked at 716 Rigby Avenue, a house Habitat has acquired to renovate. The future buyer for that home was among the volunteers there helping to install a new fence around the yard, power wash the siding, and remove all the finishes from the interior of the home. The week also included an evening garden party at the home of Susan Granville as an opportunity to bring together women supporters.

Habitat Choptank will be recruiting women volunteers of all ages and backgrounds to join a volunteer crew in support of the next Women Build home. No prior experience in construction is required. Groundbreaking is planned for May 2015. To build momentum for the project, Habitat will be hosting special women build work days like those recently held during National Women Build Week. Here, a Friday afternoon work crew pauses during renovation of a house at 716 Rigby Avenue in Cambridge.
Photo By: Ted Mueller

Women Build is Habitat for Humanity’s initiative to empower and engage women who want to learn construction skills and build homes and impact communities. This program brings together women from all walks of life to address the housing crisis facing millions of women and children worldwide. No experience is necessary and there are many ways to participate in addition to swinging a hammer on the jobsite.

The Women Build project is already gaining momentum. Habitat Choptank has acquired a lot at 130 Hammond Street in Easton and seed funds have been raised toward the total goal of $96,000 to cover the costs of permitting, building materials, and utility connections.

Since 1992, Habitat Choptank has empowered 63 low-income families from Talbot and Dorchester counties to build a better future for themselves through home ownership. Each family contributed 300-400 hours of “sweat equity” in the building of those houses and purchased their home with a 20 to 30-year no interest Habitat mortgage. Currently, five future buyers are working through Habitat’s multi-step partnership program toward the goal of becoming successful home owners. For information about home ownership, to volunteer with Habitat Choptank or to make a donation, visit www.habitatchoptank.org or call 410-476-3204

Plans for Habitat Choptank’s next Women Build house were announced at a recent garden party at the home of Susan Granville. Supporters at the event included (left to right) Joyce Doehler, Laurie Roysdon, Susan Granville, and Rooney Stencil.
Photo By: Jill Jasuta

Habitat for Humanity Choptank Hosts Workshop for Older Adults

Habitat Choptank Plans All Women Built House

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