Is your home in need of repairs but you can’t afford the cost? Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity has a home repair and restoration program called A Brush With Kindness (ABWK).

A Brush with Kindness helps homeowners with painting, repairs and critical health & safety issues.  Their program works in partnership with municipalities and agencies in the Twin Cities to help struggling homeowners remain living in a safe, healthy home.

In 2014, they served 130 families in the Twin Cities, many of whom live in the inner cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Also, this past year they moved their ABWK offices/warehouse to NE Minneapolis and would love to do more work in their new Nordeast “backyard” and its neighborhoods.

Their typical home improvement projects include exterior painting and minor repairs to siding, porches/decks and windows. Their interior projects include painting, minor patching and some flooring work. They also do a few larger projects as well as some accessibility work (including roofing, ramps, and railings) and some electrical and plumbing work.

Requirements to qualify for the program include filling out an application, having an income below 60% AMI (Area Median Income), having a significant repair need, and, if capable, a willingness to work alongside project volunteers.

Don’t know if your income is below 60% AMI? Here is what the income guidelines were in 2014 (established by HUD, subject to change in 2015):

Household size – Max Combined Household Income Accepted (this is 60% of the AMI)
1 – $34,860
2 – $39,840
3 – $44,820
4 – $49,740
5 – $53,760
6 – $57,720
7 – $61,680
>7 – $65,700

If this is something that fits your needs and you wish to apply, simply call the program office (612-788-8169) or visit their website at www.tchabitat.org/abwk to get more information, apply online or download an application.