Mr. Hooper is an Army veteran who served in the Vietnam War. He is a double amputee in a wheelchair whose home was in need of repairs. The roof was leaking, the porch was rotting, and windows desperately needed to be replaced. Unfortunately, Mr. Hooper did not have the funds needed to make all the repairs. It was becoming increasingly difficult to live safely and navigate his wheelchair within his home. The Habitat for Humanity repair program, which is partially funded by the United Way of the Virginia Peninsula, was able to help Mr. Hooper. In addition to working with some community partners like Owens Corning and Colony Roofing, Habitat for Humanity was able to replace his roof and install new windows and screen doors. They also were able to repair his entire porch and make a bigger front doorway with a more accessible ramp for his wheelchair.
The percentage of homeowners who are aging in place and living longer in their homes is rising. Forty-seven percent of Virginia’s veterans are over the age of 60 and 37% of Virginia residents who are over the age of 60 live alone. Habitat’s repair programs assist homeowners in being safe and feeling safe while creating a healthy community.
Learn more about Habitat for Humanity here.