Habitat for Humanity helping local, low-income seniors
Organization to work to improve Sierra Bonita Village in Paso Robles
– In 2013 Habitat for Humanity for San Luis Obispo County introduced its home preservation program – an initiative that ensures low-income homeowners can continue to live safely and securely in decent housing by providing repairs, landscaping, painting and other services for homeowners in need – into the Sierra Bonita Village in Paso Robles. Sierra Bonita is a senior community where many low-income homeowners reside.
Many residents rely only on their Social Security benefits to support them and as a result are unable to maintain and repair their homes. Habitat brought its home preservation program to the community to assist those homeowners, and has integrated an aging in place initiative to ensure that the homes are also safe for the seniors to live in. The goal is to ensure these seniors can age in place, in their homes, as our county struggles to provide adequate affordable housing for our low-income residents.
Since the beginning of Habitat’s work in Sierra Bonita, Bank of America has assumed the leading role in sponsoring and providing volunteer support for the homes that they will be repairing in Sierra Bonita. “Bank of America’s strong commitment to our home preservation work in Sierra Bonita and the senior homeowners we are assisting has been pivotal to our success,” said Julia K. Ogden, Habitat’s CEO. “Our partnership with Bank of America is a cornerstone to our affiliate.”
To date Bank of America has contributed $85,000 to Habitat’s home preservation program. “Bank of America is proud to work with Habitat for Humanity for SLO County, they do so much community development in the community,” said Central Coast Market President at Bank of America Greg Bland. “Connecting people with access to affordable, stable housing is a key contributor to local economic growth, which is why we have provided both dollars and employee volunteer time to help make the home preservation program such a success.”
A team of Bank of America volunteers will be onsite in Sierra Bonita May 21 making repairs as well as to present a $10,000 grant for ongoing support.
To learn more about the home preservation program or to receive an application, please contact Stephanie Bristow at (805) 782-0687 or volunteer@hfhsloco.org.
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