October 2008

RENEW – SEVCA BUILDING MATERIALS VOUCHER PROGRAM


PROGRAM CONCEPT:

ReNew will make available building materials and appliances to address structural, health, safety, energy efficiency, and other basic, non-cosmetic housing repair and improvement needs for families who need them but are unable to afford them. They will provide the materials, via a voucher system, to clients who have been screened, assessed and determined eligible by SEVCA staff. Materials may include, but are not limited to: doors, windows, flooring, roofing, appliances, plumbing fixtures, electrical supplies, and energy efficiency materials. Vouchers are good for 90 days and are not transferable.

PROGRAM PROCEDURES:

SEVCA’s Family Service Worker (FSW) will identify families who have a demonstrated need for building materials to perform minor repairs in their own homes, and who are unable to pay for the materials on their own. ReNew staff may also refer to SEVCA any individuals or families whom they feel might need assistance. The FSW will conduct assessments of potential clients to determine eligibility and the nature of their need, and contact RENEW to see if they have the needed materials in stock. If so, the FSW will complete and provide clients with the required paperwork to enable them to pick up the materials from ReNew. SEVCA will also provide other services to clients as needed and applicable, including crisis housing and fuel assistance, housing stabilization, case management, budget counseling, financial management education, and advocacy.
 

June 6, 2008

ReNew and SEVCA Collaborate on Building Materials Donation Program

BRATTLEBORO – ReNew Building Materials and Salvage Inc. and Southeastern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA) have partnered to announce the launch of a new program to provide low-to moderate income residents of Windham County with building materials for much needed home repairs. The two non-profits had noted a growing number of people struggling to keep their homes safe and habitable. SEVCA’s Family Services staff often found themselves struggling to find creative ways to help their clients find funds or affordable materials for repairs. ReNew proprietor Erich Kruger offered to help with a generous $4,000 donation of materials from his facility.

“This couldn’t be more timely.” stated Family Services Program Director Pat Burke. “There have been several fires in the area, and growing fuel prices have impacted local families’ budgets greatly. Many of our clients have special needs that require very specific items for construction projects. This winter, we had several cases of very low-income families with problems such as doors that didn’t fit, letting heat escape. Often, we will see people whose floorboards have been ruined by a burst water tank, or whose stove has died. Erich has been very sensitive to that.”

Materials will be provided via a voucher system to clients who have been determined eligible by SEVCA staff. Items may include, but are not limited to doors, windows, flooring, roofing, appliances, plumbing fixtures, electrical supplies, and energy efficiency materials for non-cosmetic improvement needs for those who cannot afford them. To apply for assistance, contact SEVCA’s Brattleboro Family Services Outreach Worker Donna Curtis at (802) 254-2795 for an appointment.

ReNew Salvage is a non-profit building materials re-use store and deconstruction services provider whose goal is to reduce the amount of construction waste, surplus project materials, and other usable items that would end up in the landfill or disposed of improperly. ReNew's mission is “to contribute to and encourage the preservation and renewal of the Earth's natural resources and to support low-income families to build, remodel and repair their homes.” To accomplish their mission, ReNew provides affordable building materials, offers educational re-use programs, and supports other local non-profits dedicated to affordable housing.

SEVCA is the organization designated by state and federal officials to address the full range of needs of low-income residents of Windham and Windsor Counties. In addition to providing the “safety net” for households in financial crisis, its services help them stabilize their lives, make their homes safe and energy-efficient, take strides toward becoming self-reliant, and enable their children to escape the generational poverty cycle. These goals are achieved through such programs as Family Services, Crisis Fuel, Housing Stabilization, Food Stamp Outreach, Budget Counseling, Weatherization, Individual Development Accounts, Micro Business Development, Tax Preparation Assistance, Parent Education, and Head Start.