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Home preservation

Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity (GSHFH)'s home preservation program provides affordable micro-loans to qualifying homeowners who need help with accessibility modifications, home weatherization, general home repairs, yard cleanup, and landscaping. Some critical repair work and larger loans are available on a case-by-case basis. GSHFH works alongside volunteers and homeowners to make repairs.

More about home preservation

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Meet Mrs. Martowski
Helen is a 100-year-old Navy veteran and Ludlow native. She served in World War II with five of her 10 siblings, and future husband. Later, she worked in the Office of Naval Intelligence handling classified material. These days, she is retired and widowed, but not alone. She has three children, four grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. Even though Helen is legally blind and hearing impaired, she has chosen to age at home and receives care on a daily basis. When we heard Helen was in need of a new screen door and ramp, roof, and chimney repairs, we knew it was the least we could do for a woman who has given so much for our country. Recently, we did just that and replaced the trim on her doorway, removing the rotted wood. We partnered with local contractors Owens Corning and Vista Home Improvement to replace the roof. We teamed up with Roussel and Sons Masonry to repair and update the chimney.

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Helen dines outside on her new ramp.

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The roofing project begins.

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The roof is finished.

For more information, call (413) 739-5503 or email

Meet the Bronsons
In 1989, former Marine Lance Corporal Bob and his wife Phyllis purchased a house built in 1880. Previously owned by Phyllis’ mother, the two-story house in Westfield has been filled with many sentimental memories and history. Now, the house’s exterior needs work and has been selected by GSHFH's home preservation program to receive assistance during the 2021 Veterans Build event sponsored by The Home Depot Foundation. Associated Building Wreckers and LAKAY Building And Remodeling Inc, the companies contracted to work on this project, will remove the siding and asbestos from the exterior. The house will receive new vinyl siding plus a hand rail to the side entrance. We’re excited for Bob and Phyllis and greatly appreciate Associated Building Wreckers and Lakay Building and Remodeling for their expertise and participation in this project.

The siding has been removed.

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One wall of siding is up and Phyllis dusts her new window sills.

More progress has been made.