Hovey Road, Monson
Exterior home preservation project that replaced siding, gutters, windows, the back deck and a slider door.
Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity's Veteran Build sign. "Veterans Build" is a Habitat for Humanity national initiative to provide housing solutions, volunteer, and employment opportunities for US veterans, military service members, and their families. The program serves limited-income homeowners who are affected by age, disability, or family circumstances and struggle to maintain the condition and utility of their homes.
Roland and Jo-Ann's Veterans Build Home Preservation project
Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity, in association with Window World of Western Massachusetts, Home Depot Repair Corps, and the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Veterans Housing Rehabilitation and Modification Pilot Program (VHRMP), recently fixed the exterior of former Army Specialist fourth grade Roland and his wife Jo-Ann's home. The pilot project gives competitive grants to nonprofits that serve veterans or low-income individuals. Grants can be used to rehabilitate eligible veterans’ primary residences.
The one-story Monson house, which the couple purchased in 1992, had fallen into disrepair and according to Roland, his insurance company didn’t want to insure it as is because of the state of the siding.
Roland said he knew of Habitat for Humanity from reading articles about well-known volunteer and former President Jimmy Carter and thought there might be an affiliate in Springfield. He reached out to Aimee, who visited his home to help the couple complete the application process.
Window World Military Initiative donated the siding, replacement windows, a new sliding door, and gutters. They also provided volunteer support to help with installation.
“Our family is blessed and honored to live in a country that provides the freedoms that we all enjoy, and as a small family business, we are the example of the American Dream,” said Grace Drost, Window World of Western Massachusetts owner. “With that, we can’t forget that those freedoms and the American Dream aren’t free and feel this is an opportunity to thank our veterans for the sacrifices they make so our dreams can come true. One of the core values of our company is rooted in changing lives, and this is a chance for our whole team to give back to those who make the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.”
Habitat also replaced the deck and repaired the shed roof and cleaned up the yard.
“Habitat is excellent. I’m very pleased,” Roland said.
Roland and Jo-Ann's old deck
Roland and Jo-Ann's old deck
Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity construction crew works to build a new deck in early July.
Volunteers help tear down Roland and Jo-Ann's previous deck in late June. Volunteers came from the Westfield Home Depot Distribution Center.
Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity construction crew works to build a new deck in early July.
The deck is finished!
Window World of Western Massachusetts staffers prepare the house for new siding.
Window World of Western Massachusetts staffers prepare the house for new siding.
Siding is delivered and offloaded from the truck.
The finished home. Thank you, Roland and Jo-Ann for trusting us with this project. It was a pleasure working with you.