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Home Sweeter Home

Author: Denise May
Issue: 2008 August

Who do you turn to when you can’t afford to feel safe in your own home? Afraid old wiring will cause a fire. Worrying if the next snowfall will cause your roof to collapse. Or, if you’re suddenly handicapped, struggling to navigate a narrow hall just to use your bathroom. For many of these desperate city residents, Shawnee Urban Renewal is returning the joy of home ownership.

“The goal of the city’s housing rehabilitation program is to create safe, decent and affordable housing in the City of Shawnee,” said Mike Wolf, Program Manager of the Shawnee Urban Renewal Authority.

Since 1974, Shawnee has received annual Community Development Block Grant Funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The funds are available in the form of loans and grants to qualified home owners. A 5-year mortgage is placed on the home. Depending upon particular circumstances, that loan is either partially or completely forgiven if the owner resides in the home for all five years.

Wolf said that Shawnee Urban Renewal is receiving less money than in years past and the amount they do receive is being stretched further.

“We’ve seen funding drastically decrease, as much as 25–30% of the last five years,” said Wolf. “Inflation and the increase in construction costs also contribute to the situation. We used to do a complete rehab for about $12–$15,000. Today, it takes more than $30,000 to make necessary repairs and improvements.”

Wolf said three Shawnee residents who received emergency repairs are typical examples of the people they have been able to help.

Joanne, a working mother, bought an older home in Shawnee but soon discovered she couldn’t afford to pay the high utility bills that began to arrive.

“I wanted to raise my daughter in this home and was hoping she might want to have it someday, too,” said Joanne. “But, being a single working mom, I was overwhelmed with the costs of a new roof and what it would take to make the house energy efficient. The Shawnee Urban Renewal Authority put in all new windows, completely rewired the house, installed insulation, a new heat and air system, water heater and fixed a lot of plumbing. I also had a four foot foundation wall about to fall over and they built a beautiful new one. Now, I can afford to stay here like
I planned.”

Then, there’s Betty, the elderly Shawnee senior whose roof was becoming more and more dangerous.

“I hadn’t done anything to the roof for 16 years and I was scared,” said Betty. “It was really heavy with several layers of old shingles. I could see some real damage and was afraid it would either fall in or start leaking real soon. I couldn’t fix it, didn’t know who to call and even if I did, I wouldn’t be able to pay for it. Through a number of friends, I heard about the Shawnee Urban Renewal program. They took off the old roof and gave me a brand new one. I am so happy and thankful!”

Ronny, confined to a wheelchair since a car accident in 1991 left him with a broken back, is also grateful for the difference in his home and his life.

“I couldn’t get around in my own home with the wheelchair,” said Ronny. “My brother-in-law said to call Shawnee Urban Renewal. They put in a concrete ramp in the front of the house and a wood one in the back. They also made the doors and halls bigger, installed hardwood floors and made changes in the bathroom. My life is so much better now. The house looks nice and I’m a lot more independent. For the first time in 16 years, I was able to go out my back door!”

According to Wolf, most of their applicants hear about the assistance from friends and neighbors. He said they used to advertise the program, but now they only include an occasional blurb on the city water bill.

“When we advertised, we used to get about 50 prospects a year. Now, we handle about 20 qualified applicants. Even with the fewer requests, it may take a while to get to them because of the reduced funding.”

To qualify for the housing rehabilitation program, an applicant must have owned the home as their primary Shawnee residence for at least one year. The repairs and replacements must be necessary. Income restrictions also apply. For more information, please call 405–273–1938 or visit www.shawneeok.org.