How To Prioritize Home Repairs

As the baby boom generation ages, we need to consider the most effective solution for people to safely age in place, whatever their income may be. It so happens this is exactly what most people prefer, to remain in their homes as long as it is reasonable and safe. Add to that a global pandemic, and the dearth of affordable housing in our community is a difficult situation for our neighbors in need of a place to live. The need for affordable housing is paramount – around the country and here at home.

With all the conversations by advocates, public officials and the media surrounding the lack of affordable housing, we need to integrate conversations about the importance and value of housing preservation and its role in alleviating the issue.

We at People Working Cooperatively (PWC) have been committed for more than 46 years to serving low-income, elderly and homeowners living with disabilities throughout Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky and Indiana through housing preservation – the repair and protection of existing affordable housing. The services we provide on a daily basis help homeowners in need stay safe and healthy at home through critical repairs, modifications for mobility and weatherization services.

There is a place for new development, but let's take a closer look at the true value of preservation. At its core, affordable housing should be, well, affordable. The cost to repair and modify existing homes is considerably less than having to build something entirely new. The average cost of a repair for PWC is $1,500. If a home needs more than one repair, the costs are orders of magnitude less than new development.

In addition to the financial cost, consider the personal cost for someone forced out of their home due to unlivable conditions. Where do they go? How will they find other affordable housing? What happens to the house? If we're going to use taxpayer dollars (or anyone's dollars), we should start with the most cost-effective solution – preserving what already exists.

Preserving someone's home means preserving memories, quality of life and generational wealth. Preservation keeps our neighborhoods vital and protects against abandoned houses and abandoned people with nowhere to go.

PWC's supporters recognize the value in what we do. Think of how many lives we could touch and homes we could repair and modify if more companies and individuals get involved with charitable donations. If we are going to invest in our neighborhoods, let's do the most effective, and cost-effective things first.

A PWC client explains this best: Cammy is 79 years old with an annual income of $9,768. She called PWC during the pandemic because the only toilet in her home was leaking so badly that it rotted the floor around it, and the toilet was falling through. Cammy paid someone to install her toilet, but it was obviously done incorrectly. She could not get the company back to her house, nor find anyone else to help.

"You'll never know how deep my gratitude is to your organization," Cammy said. "I tried and tried to find help but had no success. A friend at the library called me about PWC and said to call and see if you could help. It felt like a miracle when PWC told me someone would come out… I so wish you could know how grateful I am and will always be. I am alone in the world, so it isn't only the physical and financial help you've given me, but the emotional help as well. I felt truly cared about. You have given me a new lease on life, a huge boost to my courage!"

Preserving existing housing stock is a smart and cost-effective strategy. At PWC, we're not just preserving houses, we're preserving communities and lifting up our neighbors in need.

Our community strategy to advance affordable housing should prioritize the preservation of existing homes.

Jock Pitts is president and CEO of People Working Cooperatively.