Restoring Homes & Hope
When a severe storm swept through Franklin in June 2023, a tree in the front yard of long-time resident Gianna’s home came crashing down, striking the chimneys and causing extensive damage to the front porch.
Gianna describes the night of the storm as terrifying. “I remember asking people on social media to pray. Within 30 minutes, I heard the tree start to fall on my house. I was in my little home, defenseless against it,” she recalled.
For Gianna, the damage was more than just structural; it came after years of hardship. In addition to the serious health struggles she faces, the pandemic also caused disruptions in her income, and the weight of ongoing challenges left her feeling overwhelmed and out of options. “I’ve been through hell for five years,” she said. “I’m not one to quit, but I didn’t know what to do.”
Unable to afford the necessary repairs, Gianna turned to her community for help.
The turning point came when Kathleen, a member of the Franklin Housing Commission and employee with the City of Franklin, connected her with Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury. Soon after, with a generous donation from the City of Franklin, the Critical Repair team showed up, ready to make a change.
Habitat for Humanity Williamson‑Maury’s Critical Repair Program provides major home repairs at affordable rates to help homeowners stay safe, warm, and in their homes. Services include roof repair or replacement, accessibility modifications, HVAC, and other essential home repairs. The program prioritizes safety, code, and accessibility needs and offers financial assistance based on homeowner affordability.
For Gianna’s home, the project involved a complete teardown and rebuilding of the front porch, including the deck, columns, rebuilding both chimneys, and replacing the entire roof. These repairs go beyond restoring the home’s appearance. They ensure that Gianna and her family have a safe and stable entrance, protection from the elements, and a structurally sound home.
Although the scale of the damage was larger than most repair projects typically covered through the program, HFHWM rallied community partners to make it possible.
Gregg Elliott, senior project manager for Layson Building, Inc., stepped in to help by coordinating with local businesses. Layson Building, Inc. agreed to complete the rebuild at cost, while Above All Roofing donated a brand-new roof for the entire home. Southern Outdoor Finishes contributed by painting the front porch and pressure washing the home at cost, and Crosslin Building Supply provided discounted lumber for the project.
“This project is a shining example of what happens when a community comes together,” said HFHWM CEO, Kim Randell. “Thanks to our generous building partners and the City of Franklin, Gianna not only has a safe and secure home once again, but one that reflects the beauty and history of Franklin.”
Today, with her home restored, Gianna is full of gratitude.
“Jesus brought Habitat for Humanity to help me when I was out of options,” Gianna said. “For 26 months, all I felt was not worth it. But strangers came and didn’t just do the bare minimum…they removed burdens.”
Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury developed the Critical Repair Program to support current homeowners in the community, providing an alternative to our traditional homebuilding program for first-time buyers.
With the rising costs of land and construction in Franklin and Williamson County, it has become increasingly challenging to offer new homeownership opportunities. This program allows HFHWM to continue serving income-restricted residents.