Home Repair Service

About

Our repair service is designed to assist homeowners in remaining in their homes by making needed repairs, preserving exteriors, and/or installing a limited range of aging in place and accessibility improvements.

What we do

Currently, our repair service is open to the following home repairs, preservations, and improvements:

  • Exterior painting (whole house, trim, shutters)
  • Exterior power washing, scraping, caulking
  • Window repair (screen, storm windows) – not including installation
  • Porch repair/porch railing, handrail
  • Gutter repair
  • Soffit/fascia repair
  • Siding repair/replacement
  • Weather stripping/minor weatherization
  • Exterior accessibility improvements such as ramps
  • Fencing repair
  • Brush and debris removal
  • Ramps and accessibility additions

For mobile/manufactured home owners, please note: Unfortunately, we can only provide exterior ramps and accessibility repairs. We cannot do any other work on mobile/manufactured homes.

Due to the coronavirus, we are not currently performing interior repairs. This is a new program and we hope to expand our services in the future. 

Who qualifies

In order to qualify:

  • You must own and live in your home
  • Your home must be located in Snohomish County
  • You must make 60% or less of the area median income
  • You must have homeowners insurance
  • The repairs you are requesting must be listed above

Homeowners are responsible for a fee for service based on a sliding scale as well as contributing to the repairs through sweat equity.

The table below lists 60% of the area median income for each household size. These numbers are updated each year by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). We have limited capacity, so we reserve the right to reject applications based on scope of the project.

 

How to apply

Below, you will find a screening tool to determine if you meet the preliminary qualifications for our Home Repair Service.  If you do meet these, you will be given the opportunity to fill out our full application, which can be filled out online or printed and mailed in. Our Habitat stores also have paper copies available for pick-up.

If you are applying on behalf of a parent, relative, or someone other than yourself, please fill out the screening tool as they would answer the questions. There is a space on the application to note that you are sponsoring the person requesting repairs. 

Due to demand, we currently have a wait time of 12 – 18 months before we are able to service your project, if you are eligible. 

If you have any questions, please read our frequently asked questions section at the bottom of this page. If you still have questions, please email us at repair@habitatsnohomish.org or call us at 425-405-7765.

In order to qualify for our Home Repair Service, your total annual household income must fall at 60% or less of the area median income.  Please note that this includes all sources of income, from all members of your household, including but not limited to: employment, alimony/child support, government assistance, social security, SSI, and disability. Here’s a handy chart to show if your household meets the criteria:

People in household (including children and dependents) Annual Household Gross Income Limit
1 $50,025
2 $57,150
3 $64,313
4 $71,438
5 $77,175
6 $82,875
7 $88,613
8 $94,313

 

Frequently asked questions

Can I have a family member fill out my application for me?

Yes. There are many reasons why a homeowner may not feel comfortable or have the ability to fill out their own application. In this case, please designate a sponsor on the application where it asks to list contact information for a sponsor. A sponsor could be a child, partner, neighbor, or anyone you trust to communicate with us on your behalf

Do not choose a sponsor you do not trust with your personal or sensitive information.

The application asks for a co-applicant. Who is a co-applicant?

A co-applicant is anyone else whose name is on the deed or mortgage to the house. In most cases, there is only one co-applicant. If you do not legally share the deed or mortgage with anyone else, you do not need to fill out the section for co-applicant.

Please note that even if you do not have a co-applicant, you will still have to provide verifiable income information for all family members who earn income.

The application asks for a sponsor. Who is a sponsor?

A sponsor could be a child, partner, neighbor or anyone you trust to communicate with us on your behalf. If you designate a sponsor, they will be the one we contact throughout the entire build process.

Do not choose a sponsor you do not trust with your personal or sensitive information.

Can I submit pictures of the work I need help with?

Absolutely! The application asks you to describe the work you need done in as much detail as possible. Pictures can help us fill in the gaps and get a better idea of the scope of your need.

The online version of the application has dedicated space to attach up to 5 photos. If you are submitting a paper application, please include photos along with the other required documents.

I am having trouble understanding and filling out the application and/or do not have someone who can sponsor me. What do I do?

This process can be tricky and overwhelming. If you are having trouble navigating the application process please contact us at repair@habitatsnohomish.org or 425-405-7765 and one of our experienced staff members in the office will be happy to help.

The application is closed right now. When will it reopen?

Because this program is new in Snohomish County, we are only accepting a limited number of applications. If the application is currently closed, you can still see if you qualify using the screening tool. If you do qualify, you can sign up to be notified via email when applications reopen. You can also check this page again in the coming weeks.

I just submitted my application. What happens next?

You should receive an automated email response confirming we have received your application.  We will be in contact with you as soon as we have reviewed and processed your application.  We appreciate your patience.

My living unit shares a wall with another living unit. Do I still qualify?

If you own and live in a duplex or townhome that shares a wall with an adjacent unit, you qualify for our home repair service, assuming you still meet the other criteria.

I own a mobile/manufactured home. Do I still qualify for your Home Repair Service?

Our work on mobile homes is limited to accessibility construction such as ramps and handrails. We do not do work on repairing or weatherizing mobile homes themselves.

Many mobile homes are located in mobile home parks and subject to HOA and management rules and regulations. After you have filled out the application, you will be contacted by someone in our office and will be asked to provide additional information.

How much will a repair cost?

The repairs provided by Habitat Snohomish are supported by a broad community of donors. In addition, homeowners are responsible for a fee for service based on a sliding scale as well as contributing to the repairs through sweat equity.

What is sweat equity?

Sweat equity is a core value of the building process at Habitat for Humanity. Sweat equity is the work done by you or members of your family or community to bring value to the build. This could involve building, cleaning or providing lunch or snacks for the crew.

Participation in sweat equity is essential, and we encourage you to engage members of your family and community to help. There are many ways families can participate in sweat equity, and we will work with your family to find a good fit.

The repair I need is not on this list. When will the expanded list be available?

HFHSC takes COVID seriously. We will not be able to expand to interior repairs until the pandemic is under control.

We are currently working on incorporating roofing repairs into our Home Repair Service. However, we do not have a timeline as to when we will start offering roofing and other trade work such as electrical or plumbing.

If you qualify for our program and your repair does not require interior work, but you don’t see what you need on the list, go ahead and send us an email at repair@habitatsnohomish.org.  Let us know the scope of the work, and we’ll let you know if this is something we can do.

When will you begin accepting indoor repairs?

We at Habitat Snohomish take COVID seriously. We will not be able to expand to interior repairs until the pandemic is under control. Please continue to check our website for updates regarding the expansion of services.

What is the COVID safety protocol?

We at Habitat Snohomish take COVID seriously. All volunteers on site must wear N95 masks, social distance, and avoid sharing tools. To protect our volunteers and also the families we serve, no more than 5 builders will be on site at any given time. Family members must wear masks when engaging with our staff and builders to keep everyone safe.

Do I need to provide anything at the repair site?

Your sweat equity agreement may involve providing snacks or drinks for the builders. If your sweat equity agreement involves participating in the construction, we will provide all necessary tools and building supplies.

How many people can I expect to show up for my project?

Due to COVID, there will not be more than 5 builders on site at any given time. However, if your project requires less than 5 builders, we will only bring the number of people needed to complete your work.

Are there any additional resources for veterans or active duty service members?

If you or someone in your household is a veteran, the widow of a veteran,  or an active duty service member, Washington Serves provides a variety of services.  You may be eligible for repair services, along with other benefits. Learn more at https://washington.americaserves.org/

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