By Sister Janet Valente

On Saturday, April 14, the first volunteer crew landed at the first site of the archdiocesan rehab effort, 2049 Robson Place, N.E. Under the direction of John Giaquinto, the project’s coordinator, volunteers sheetrocked many rooms and began painting and generally repairing a home presently in violation of the city housing codes. The home belongs to Mrs. Victoria Kendall.

The rehab project proposed by the Office of Urban Affairs involves essentially, trying to bring homes not presently meeting the city codes, up to code standards. These homes will be owner occupied by people who can’t afford the repairs needed, many of who are on welfare. Many poor and elderly comprise this category. We propose to form volunteer parish teams that can begin to attack the problem of rehabilitation, pooling our talents, monetary resources, and other things (paint, nails etc.).

Many of these people are too old to think about moving; are in no financial position to consider such; or just want to stay in their old familiar worlds. Rehabbing homes is a socially viable response to one area of the housing problem.

The city’s Citizens Urban Development council wrote to us as the archdiocesan housing series was ending last fall, suggesting rehabbing as a follow-up project. At their initiation the present project has begun, now involving volunteer teams from Holy Cross and St. Paul of the Cross parishes.

The follow-up group, formed as a result of the archdiocesan housing series, felt that, realistically, we should begin by dealing with homes needing a maximum of $500 worth of repairs. This is a difficult criteria to follow but necessary. It is hoped that after a few such homes are successfully worked on, a proposal can be drafted for foundation monies.

Giaquinto, in speaking of the success of this first effort, said: “The key to our first accomplishment was in getting volunteers together who provided the expertise and hard work which resulted in changing two bedrooms that were merely glued together into newly remodeled rooms. Volunteers from the community itself also pitched in and the job was completed in two days. I expected a better turn out from the church volunteers, but I’m sure the situation will change when we paint the home’s interior this weekend.

“It was a pleasure to see how happy Mrs. Kendall was when she saw the finished product. On a number of occasions she has paid contractors to repair her home which pushed her further into debt. If that wasn’t bad enough, the quality of the work of these contractors was terrible.

Two years ago, she had her house re-wired for $2,000 that she is paying off monthly for the next 30 years. However, half of her home is now without electricity. Mrs. Kendall’s last words before we left were that someone has finally done what they have promised to do. With more support from the parishes this scene can be replayed many times over.”

Volunteer teams must grow if the effort is to go full force. Other parishes will soon be contacted about participating.