Macomb County Habitat For Humanity | A Brush With Kindness

What we do

Macomb County Habitat for Humanity works with low-income, elderly, disabled, veterans and military family homeowners to maintain and repair their homes.  A Brush with Kindness program helps ensure families are living in safe and well-maintained homes; keeps homeowners in their present homes, protects their financial investments; restores the homeowners’ dignity and pride of homeownership; and revitalizes the surrounding neighborhood.

We partner with the local city and city organizations/fraternal groups to provide volunteers and resources to repair the homes at low cost to the homeowner.  If the repairs/maintenance is critical and a large cost, we have some sources that will provide the homeowner with assistance in the form of grants and loans or match-dollar loans (some of which may be forgivable as long as the homeowner stays in the home for a period of years).

How we do it

In each city, it is important to locate a small group of prominent citizens who would agree to be Community Leaders.  We would ask Community Leaders to spread the word about the A Brush With Kindness program, by speaking to all the community groups such as Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, Kiwanis, VFW, etc.  Community Leaders would also be working with Habitat’s staff such as; the ABWK Construction Manager and Director of Strategic Programs.  It will take all these people, staff and volunteers, to complete this program in each area.

The defined area will be by census blocks.  We have an introductory letter that will go out to each homeowner within those census blocks.  If they would like to participate in the program, they can then pick up an application at Habitat’s Administrative offices, the City Hall or possibly their church.  The applications would need to be turned in by the due date.  Habitat would determine if the applicants qualify under the program criteria.  We would then notify and meet with the homeowner to discuss the repairs/maintenance to be done and review the process and their involvement in the project.  We would then have a set time period in which the project will be completed.

Homeowner Participation Requirements

1. Long term commitment to live in their home. 

1. If a homeowner sells or refinances their home within 5 years of the work we provide, we ask they pay us the sum, agreed to in advance, secured by a Mortgage & Note.
2. No  or low interest on the pledged amount, as stated in the Mortgage & Note (A Mortgage and Note may not be required in some circumstances).

2. Complete the application process

1. Complete and submit the application and provide all documents necessary to show family income and home ownership.
2. Applicant must be the owner and occupier of the property.
3. Meet with staff to determine the necessary work/repairs, and sign the Work Order.

3. Applicants must be home during the times when volunteers are working on the property.

1. Homeowners are expected to be friendly and cooperative to all staff and volunteers.
2. Homeowners must be realistic about the work being done.
3. All able-bodied adult residents of the home must work (8 sweat-equity hours) alongside staff and volunteers while work is being done.

4. There will be no smoking in the house while volunteers are working inside.
5. No drugs, alcohol or firearms will be present or be in anyone’s personal possession while Habitat staff /volunteers are on your property.
6. Move any valuable or breakables from the work area.
7. Keep all pets contained away from the work area.

   Areas Currently Eligible for Application

Roseville and Richmond currently eligible for application. Please see map for areas and deadline dates.

  Richmond Deadline: July 1, 2012