Family is very important to Ms. Rebecca.  And her cozy home has been at the center of her family’s busy life.  She found her Midtown home in 1973.  She was caring for two nephews, as well as raising her own two sons, when she found a listing in the newspaper for the house that they’d soon call home. Her brother-in-law helped her to inspect the house and negotiate an offer.

Not long after, Ms. Rebecca married and welcomed a daughter, making the home the center of a very busy young family.  In addition to raising her own family of five, Ms. Rebecca worked for one family for over 50 years, helping them with childcare and housework, retiring only earlier this year.

Although still in good health, over the past several years Ms. Rebecca began to have difficulty getting in and out of the bathtub, worried that she may slip and fall.  After a close call, she decided to seek assistance. Her daughter-in-law told her about the home repair program through the City of Savannah, so she applied and was delighted when she qualified for help to replace her original bathtub with a walk-in shower.

Construction specialist Ivan Davelaar oversaw Ms. Rebecca’s project, ensuring that the contractor did the work on schedule and that the finished project was up to code. “Projects like this one, where we’re able to make a home safer and more accessible for a homeowner are especially satisfying,” says Ivan. “After working for more than 50 years caring for others, it’s important that we care for Ms. Rebecca and help her to live comfortably in her home.”  He takes great pride in knowing that this small project will have such a large positive impact in her life, allowing her to age in place, in a home where she has so many wonderful memories and in a neighborhood that she has enjoyed for more than half of her life.  

The home repair program helps low- to modest-income Savannahians to keep their homes healthy and habitable, by assisting with minor home repairs that prolong the life of the structure or help with accessibility. Funded in part by the Savannah Affordable Housing Fund (SAHF) and in partnership with CHSA and Housing Savannah, the program has helped hundreds of deserving people with home repair grants since the program began.

Ms. Rebecca was very happy with her experience with the home repair program. Her project was completed in a week and everyone who assisted her along the way was polite and professional.  She hopes that other seniors will learn about the program and be able to take advantage of it.  “I hope and pray that more people can benefit from this wonderful program,” says Ms. Rebecca. “I encourage people to apply for this grant because I know that they will enjoy it!”

SAHF home repair projects are an important way to support local seniors and to keep our community vibrant and thriving. The home repair program gives people who have worked hard their entire lives the opportunity to maintain a safe and healthy home, where they can live with dignity and remain part of the neighborhoods they’ve lived in for years.

Won’t you give today to help people like Ms. Rebecca?