Building Hope: Betsy’s Home Repair Story
This holiday season, we are featuring stories of Habitat building homes, communities, and hope in Orange County. This story of Betsy represents hope and her ability to age in place independently thanks to a recent home repair by Habitat.
Betsy has lived in her Chapel Hill home for over 36 years, but as she gets older, maintaining the house so she can age in place has become increasingly difficult. Habitat for Humanity’s Home Repair Program, in partnership with funding from Lowe’s Home Improvement, stepped in to help with critical repairs, making a significant difference in her daily life.
Betsy first learned about the Home Repair Program through a neighbor whose mother had received repairs to her home. Her highest need was for a new roof, which was leaking and causing water damage in several areas of the home. Then, after applying, she found out that she needed back surgery and would also need accessibility modifications to her home to continue living independently.
The improvements have not only helped Betsy with daily tasks but also provided peace of mind, particularly after dealing with the roof leak. The workers were professional, leaving her yard clean after each day’s work. She also wishes Habitat could expand services to include lawn care for seniors like herself, who struggle with yard maintenance. “I’m grateful that my house is paid off, but the rising taxes and cost of living make it hard to keep up with maintenance,” said Betsy. “Habitat helped me stay in my home.”
Her two children live nearby, and while she enjoys living independently, Betsy knows she can count on them when needed. She cherishes the memories in her home and is thankful for the help that’s allowed her to continue living independently. “I don’t know what I would have done without Habitat,” Betsy says. “They’ve been a real blessing.”