To help meet the growing needs of Jacksonville’s elderly, disabled and disadvantaged citizens needing emergency repairs to their houses, the Duval County Housing Finance Authority has granted $1 million to the Northeast Florida Builders Association’s Builders Care program.
“The grant will allow Builders Care to continue the mission of helping the needy. Builders Care responds to the needs of the community,” said NEFBA President Denise Wallace.
Builders Care performs renovations and emergency repairs on homes owned by senior citizens, the disadvantaged and disabled. Without Builders Care, they couldn’t afford the much-needed repairs.
The Duval County Housing Finance Authority basically funds Builders Care. National Association of Home Builders President Gary Garczynski was on hand for the check presentation.
The plight of some recipients of Builders Care help has been heart-wrenching. The program has repaired over 100 houses since it was started last October.
One frail 76-year-old woman’s plumbing was in shambles. A master of improvisation, she dealt with her problems by drawing her bathing and cooking water from a dribbling, broken pipe outside her home.
“If you don’t have the money to fix it, you have to find a way to cope,” said Evelyn English, who has been widowed for more than 20 years and survives on a fixed income.
She has referred to Builders Care as her “guardian angels.” They fixed her plumbing problems.
“These people are not soliciting handouts,” said Ken Kuester, chairman of Builders Care.
In May and June, Builders Care launched an all-out blitz to respond to the needs of over 40 elderly, disabled and disadvantaged homeowners. Response to “adopt-a-grandma” was tremendous. An outpouring of volunteers from the Northeast Florida Builders Association, the community, church and civic groups made “Operation Leverage” a great success.
But more can be done with the recent grant from the Duval County Housing Finance Authority.
“Our purpose is to provide renovation and repairs for those who could not otherwise afford them. The people we help couldn’t afford to hire a remodeling or construction company,” noted Kuester.
To help, call Builders Care at
727-3443.