Habitat Group to Fix Damaged Homes

The Ventura and Los Angeles area chapters of Habitat for Humanity have announced a program for repairing, rehabilitating and rebuilding homes damaged by the Jan. 17 earthquake.

Habitat for Humanity--a nonprofit, interfaith group that builds low-cost homes with the help of home buyers’ “sweat equity”--has issued an appeal for materials and volunteers to assist the campaign.

The program, intended for those who don’t qualify for other assistance, offers aid to make minor repairs, major rehabilitation involving structural damage and construction of new single-family and multiple-family units.

To qualify for Habitat’s help, applicants must have an income at or below 80% of the county median yet earn enough to make minimal payments and, most important, be willing to donate one hour of labor for each $100 worth of repairs or rehabilitation.

More than $2 million has been raised for the program through a nationwide appeal by Habitat for Humanity International in Americus, Ga.

The San Fernando/Santa Clarita Valleys chapter is the lead affiliate for the recovery program. Donations may be sent to: SF/SCV Habitat For Humanity, P.O. Box 710, North Hollywood, 91603. Checks should be made out to “Habitat-Earthquake Recovery.”

Two volunteer information meetings will be held this month in Thousand Oaks for anyone wishing to lend a hand. The first will be at 10 a.m. March 12 at Ascension Lutheran Church on Hillcrest Drive and the second will be at 7:30 p.m. March 15 at Westlake United Methodist Church on Hampshire Road.

To offer help, donations and materials, or to request assistance, call the Habitat’s hot line at 1-800-266-7047.