Cities Back Fix-Up

Santa Fe Springs and Pico Rivera are two Southeast Los Angeles County cities that offer city-sponsored programs with free or low-cost home repairs to senior citizens, the disabled and low-income residents.

Pico Rivera began its “Paint Up-Fix Up” service in 1976 with youth workers from a federal job program doing the repairs, according to Bill Shannon, the city’s director of housing and community development.

In Santa Fe Springs, about 900 houses owned by low-income residents have been fixed up since a housing rehabilitation program was started in 1980, according to Fernando Tarin, assistant to the director of planning and development.