Washington, DC –Mayor Muriel Bowser today announced the selection of Habitat for Humanity of Washington, DC as the new manager of the Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) Critical Home Repairs Initiative (CHRI). The Mayor has invested $1 million in the initiative to focus on quick and efficient roof replacement projects for eligible low-income homeowners in the District. It is expected that this funding will help more than 50 District residents.
“As we continue our Roots to Roofs DC focus, ensuring more residents know about and have access to the resources and supports they need to live and thrive in the District, this project is all about the roofs,” said Mayor Bowser. “With their many years of experience, Habitat for Humanity DC is the perfect partner to help us build safer, stronger homes for Washingtonians.”
CHRI is a component of DHCD’s Single Family Residential Rehabilitation Program (SFRRP). The SFRRP helps households finance minor home repairs to address building code violations, repair roofs, remove threats to health and safety, and modify and/or eliminate barriers to accessibility.
“The Critical Home Repairs Initiative will allow us to address roof replacement projects for eligible homeowners in a quicker, more efficient and citizen-friendly way,” said DHCD Director Polly Donaldson. “We look forward to a successful and productive partnership with Habitat for Humanity DC that will help more District residents improve the conditions of their homes.”
Today’s announcement comes during June Housing Bloom, a month-long initiative launched by Mayor Bowser to showcase how the public and private sectors are partnering to produce and preserve affordable housing and revitalize neighborhoods across Washington, DC. Throughout June Housing Bloom, which is designed to complement National Homeownership Month, the Bowser Administration has held events celebrating homeownership opportunities, the production and preservation of affordable housing units, and the transformation of vacant spaces.
“The Critical Home Repair Initiative will enable us to serve even more DC residents and we’re excited to grow our capacity to meet the District’s pressing housing needs,” said Habitat-DC President and CEO Susanne Slater. “Giving families and individuals the ability to stay in their homes is a central part of the mission of DHCD and DC Habitat, and a key part of the Mayor’s work to preserve affordable housing. We look forward to making this initiative a success!”
Homeowners interested in applying to the CHRI must submit a SFRRP application with DHCD-funded Community Based Organizations (CBOs). CHRI is funded through the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and the District’s Housing Production Trust Fund (HPTF).