A leaky roof, a broken furnace, or steps that are hard to climb can turn your home from a safe place into a daily worry. For many low-income families in Middle TN, repairs like these feel unaffordable. Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury is here to help. In addition to building homes, they offer a Critical Repair Program for homeowners in Columbia and the surrounding area.
What Repairs Does Habitat Help With?
The goal is simple: making homes safe, accessible, and healthy for local families. The program can help with things like:
Roof repairs or replacements
Ramps and other accessibility needs
HVAC repair or replacement
Limited electrical and plumbing work
Limited flooring repairs
Interior and exterior work needed to maintain the home
Weatherization
Other repairs related to health and safety hazards
If something in your home is putting your family’s health or safety at risk, it’s worth reaching out and asking.
Who Can Apply?
The program is for homeowners, and there are a few basic requirements:
You own your home, and it’s a single-family, detached house. Limited repairs may be possible on townhomes and mobile homes, but condos and rental properties don’t qualify.
Your home is in Williamson, Maury, Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Marshall, or Giles County.
Your property taxes and mortgage payments are current.
Your household income falls within Habitat’s gross monthly income limits, which depend on household size. You can see the current chart at the bottom of the Critical Repair page.
Homeowners insurance is preferred.
How Does the Process Work?
It starts with a quick eligibility questionnaire. You can complete it by calling the Habitat office at 615-690-8090 or by picking up an application at 109 Noah Drive in Franklin. If you’re eligible, they’ll send you a full application by mail or email.
From there, Habitat does a background check on everyone in the household over 16 and confirms your mortgage payments and taxes are up to date. Next comes a home visit, and a committee reviews your application and notifies you of its decision by mail. Once you’re approved, you’ll sign a participation contract and pay a one-time fee. Habitat will also visit during the repair, when it’s finished, and again three months later.
Please keep in mind that the full process can take about 3 to 12 months, so it’s best to apply before a small problem becomes a big one.
What Does It Cost?
Costs depend on the size and scope of the repairs, and families are charged on a sliding scale based on their ability to pay. Habitat pays at least 90% of the repair costs, and if the repair costs less than $100, the charge is waived.
Ready to Take the First Step?
If you live in Columbia or anywhere in Middle TN and your home needs repairs you can’t afford, give Habitat Williamson-Maury a call at 615-690-8090 or email bsallman@hfhwm.org. A safer, healthier home might be closer than you think.
Want to help a neighbor in need? Habitat is also looking for sponsors for the Critical Repair Program. Reach out to egabhart@hfhwm.org to learn more.
