2011 Habitat for Humanity Partnership
Nashville Flood Recovery Service Opportunity
February 21, 23, and 26
March 2, 5, and 26

For years First Presbyterian Church has partnered with Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity to help build a new home for a qualified, low-income, Nashville family.  However, following the historic May 2010 flood, the Mission Committees of First Presbyterian Church determined in 2011 that a different focus was required: assisting Nashville families re-build their homes by helping to "fill the gap."

For many low-income homeowners, the funds from a FEMA grant (maximum $29,900) were insufficient to cover all the repair costs.  Many of these homeowners were already living paycheck-to-paycheck so the added cost of temporary housing was more than their budgets could absorb.  Added to that was the challenge faced by many finding that their home values had declined prior to the flood leaving them ineligible for a traditional second mortgage to pay these unexpected costs.

Prior to the flood, Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity had already developed a program to help low and moderate income Davidson and Dickson County residents perform and finance home repairs and improvements.  These projects helped to restore and maintain safe and sound living conditions as well as home values.  This program is known as the Critical Home Repair Program.  Volunteer teams along with qualified subcontrators work under the direction of Habitat staff to make repairs and replace aged equipment.  Able-bodied homeowners contribute to the project by working alongside volunteers.  All homeowners participate in Habitat's HomeWorks classes to ensure they learn valuable financial management and home maintenance skills.

While most projects of the Critical Home Repair Program fall within the $7,000 - $30,000 range and require the homeowner to repay the costs with a loan, the program has been modified for families affected by flood damage in recognition of the larger scope of the reconstruction project and associated costs.  Additionally, flood-affected families may be awarded a grant to cover the repair costs rather than a loan if financial conditions warrant. 

Get to Know The Homeowner

The family whose home First Presbyterian Church helped to repair and re-construct came to the United States after they lost everything in a massive earthquake in Turkey. Two years after moving to the United States, the father of the family lost his job and he along with his family survived their second natural disaster when the flood waters rose last May. They lost everything they owned when over 6 feet of water came into their home; the first floor and everything in it was completely destroyed.  Click here to read more about the family whose home our crews repaired to a livable condition.