Toledo native and proud homeowner, JaQuel knows having a place of her own is important. Little by little, she is focusing her efforts on restoring her 117-year-old house.
Safety became a big concern for her and her daughter after experiencing several break-ins on her property. Older windows and doors are a prime target for burglars. She reached out to Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity for support.
“When they tried to get into the house, they would use a window or the back door. I call this side of town sticky fingers. Don’t show no growth, if you show growth, you become a target. With the windows being newer and more secure, I feel more secure,” said JaQuel.
Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity with financial support from Buckeye Health, Grey Nuns and CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) from the City of Toledo replaced JaQuel’s roof, chimney, gutters, and windows. In total, 11 windows and two doors were replaced on the aging 1905 structure.
JaQuel first heard about Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity while shopping at Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Maumee.
“For years, I have been going to ReStore to repair my house. I bought a few things there. I saw they had the Roof Replacement program. I filled out an application,” says the homeowner.
Her front porch was another challenging area.
“I love it all, especially the porch because the porch roof was caving in, and water would come through. When it rained the whole porch would be soaking wet.”
This is one of 80 roofs Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity will replace in 2022. Over the next five years, starting in 2022, Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity is planning— on completing 625 roofs in total. It’s an investment of over $8 million.
“We revitalize Toledo’s great neighborhoods. This is an example of that - one house at a time. We know the need is great in our community. It is through partnerships like Buckeye Health, Grey Nuns, and City of Toledo we can lift-up homeowners and do more,” Michael McIntyre, Executive Director of Maumee Valley Habitat.
“This support makes a huge difference in my life. It gives me security and motivation to keep updating and preserving my home.”
JaQuel bought the home in December of 2014 from HUD (Housing and Urban Development). Her next step is to install security cameras around her property.
