Home Repairs

~Homeowner Maintenance Tips

Those you serve may have need of repairs to their homes which they do not know how to obtain or cannot afford.  They may need help in finding someone. The rules of self-reliance apply. We want them to do all they can for themselves but do not want them to be overwhelmed. If you discover or if there is brought to your attention a home repair need, see if they can do the repairs themselves with your encouragement or the oversight of someone you know or someone within the ward who has the necessary knowledge and skill. Ask also if they have family members who can do the repair for them. lf they are renters, most likely the repair is the responsibility of the landlord who you may be able to persuade to fulfill that obligation. Often other ward members, someone you know, or someone identified by networking in the ward welfare committee can be found who will show them how to do the repair. Most needed home repairs are not likely to be complex or require unusual skills. lf the repair is within your capabilities; you may want to help with it.

If the family you are mentoring does not have access to anyone who can perform the necessary repairs, think through those you know who have the necessary capabilities. If you are not aware of anyone who might be available and willing to undertake the housing repair, discuss the need in the next ward council meeting. The repair needed might be an appropriate project for an elder’s quorum, or Relief Society. Young Men and Young Women might participate as well. If the repair item relates to a safety issue (such as electrical or perhaps getting up on a steep roof), please review the repair needed with a qualified expert to ensure that volunteer labor is appropriate. The more these needs are fulfilled, and the problems can be solved at the ward level the better. Building repair skills tend to be widespread. If the repair cannot be handled within the ward, try to identify an outside source known from within the ward welfare committee. If someone with the necessary skills is identified by that means, a member of the ward council committee, under the direction of the bishop, should be assigned to contact the potential repairer. Explain the Wasatch Front Service Mission and the need. Assess the repairer's willingness to be involved and the extent of the repairer's willingness to participate. It is important to limit the frequency of requests to any specific repairer and relate that to the size of the projects. Do not overburden anyone. When ward resources have been assessed without meeting the need, turn to community resources and My Home Town.

Help From My Hometown.  Some wards and stakes in our mission have members who have volunteered to help in these neighborhoods as part of the My Hometown Program. The Wasatch Front Service Mission has cooperated with My Hometown on a number of projects, and they have agreed to try to help us, where they can, with home repairs and improvements. They have resources and good people who can assist. They have shown they can organize and accomplish wonderful things to benefit the neighborhoods and wards we serve in. As you have home repair needs that are beyond what the family and ward can otherwise meet, please ask the My Hometown representatives serving in the ward or stake if they would be willing to assist you. If you have any questions or concerns with this, please reach out to Blake or Tammy Wade blakewade676@gmail.com, wade_tammy@hotmail.com, 801-230-6402 or 801-244-9896.

City and County Programs to assist.  Many of the City and Counties in our mission have programs to assist the poorest among those we serve with home repairs.  Please check with the City or County where the home is located to see what is available at that time.

The attached Home Owner Maintenance Tips guide above is to help you trouble shoot basic problems you may run into while trying to assist one of your families in need. It addresses basic plumbing, concrete, and other homeowner questions. To view, click on the icon above to download.

Below are some resources that are available to assist you.

Assistance Inc.

Excellent Repair Resource in Salt Lake County.  Emergency home repair services are offered free of charge for low income households that qualify through "Assistance Inc.,” by a grant from the state.  Their goal is to keep families in homes with emergency repairs such as roofs, plumbing and broken windows.  They will help with accessibility by building ramps, installing bars and when necessary doing some remodels.  They will need the city, address, gross income, and income sources provided.

Please call Andres at (801) 355-7085 between 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. or 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. 

Basic Government Information

Home repair and energy efficiency assistance

Learn about government programs that may help with repairing or making improvements to your home.

Government home repair assistance programs

• If you plan to repair or renovate your home, government programs may make it easier for you to afford these home improvements.

Home repair and improvement programs for special groups

• If you are Native American, a veteran, or live in a rural area, you may qualify for home repair help.

Weatherization and energy efficiency assistance

• Weatherization and energy efficiency assistance programs help you improve your home to save money on heating and cooling costs.

Community Development Corp. of Utah

Community Development Corporation of Utah, is committed to helping you achieve financial and housing stability through step-by-step customized programs. They will listen and guide you through an achievable plan for success.

Green and Healthy Homes

For low income households that qualify, services to repair or replace roofing, furnaces, air conditioning, install insulation, or most any other household repair work are offered free of charge by the Salt Lake County agency "Green and Healthy Homes."

Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity.   Obtaining building materials to perform a repair may be a challenge. The needy person may be able to pay all or in part for materials.  Suppliers may be found who are willing to contribute needed supplies, either free or at reduced prices, while the repairer contributes labor, also either free or at reduced prices. Habitat for Humanity operates a warehouse which can provide some building materials through its warehouse “Restore”.

Contact Marvin Jones at 801-263-0136. Tell them you are from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Wasatch Front Service Mission and inquire about access to their warehouse of materials. The bishop of the ward may also want to pay some portion of necessary repair costs from ward funds.

NeighborWorks, Salt Lake

NeighborWorks, Salt Lake – Provides renovations & repairs for homeowners that meet income criteria in Murray City only.

Provo Emergency Home Repair Program

Grants are available to assist properties owned and occupied by very-low or low-income persons who are 60 years of age or older and/or on Social Security Disability; and low-moderate income households owned and occupied by active-duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces within Provo City limits.  Grants do not exceed $15,000.

Hours
Monday - Thursday
7:00AM - 6:00PM

West Valley City Housing Authority

West Valley City Housing Authority – Grants of up to $1,000 are available to extremely low income homeowners within the city limits of West Valley City to correct emergency repairs on their home. Applicants will only be assisted for those repairs urgently required to make a home safe.

Hours
Monday - Thursday
7:00AM - 6:00PM