Habitat for Humanity helps elderly Montecito resident repair mudslide damaged home

Linda MacNeil is finally back home, nearly 7 months after a deadly mudslide damaged her property.

The 77-year-old is underinsured and was living on a fixed-income. She did not have the resources to fix the damage to her home, which had been red-tagged after the Jan. 9 disaster.

Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County reached out to MacNeil and guided her through the whole process.

“There’s a few different properties that we decided we are going to make sure this homeowner gets back into their home and we are going to put however many hours we need to make this happen,” said Elizabeth Beebe, Disaster Relief Coordinator for Habitat for Humanity.

Habitat for Humanity and other organizations removed 100 tons of mud from MacNeil’s property, built her a fence, power washed and painted her home, and did structural repairs.

MacNeil’s garage is also under construction.

“It’s organization, experience, it’s like an army, an army at war,” MacNeil said.

Habitat for Humanity also helped MacNeil navigate all of the permit processes, costs and allocation of resources.

Habitat for Humanity is helping several other seniors in Montecito who find themselves in the same situation as MacNeil.

“The community atmosphere and environment around one particular senior’s home has been really beautiful. If we can repair and rebuild on this home, what a great model as we continue to move forward,” Beebe said.

International chapters of Habitat for Humanity often respond to disasters. Typically local chapters do not. But, the Jan. 9 mudslide inspired the Santa Barbara County chapter to help. They took the international protocol and adapted it to Montecito.

Habitat for Humanity is known for building homes for low-income families. But, the organization also has ongoing restoration and repair projects in the community.

“The Critical Home Repair Project is our opportunity not only to build homes, but help homeowners be safe and resilient in their own homes,” Beebe said.

To date, Habitat For Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County has helped 94 residents, mobilized over 1,400 volunteers, had over 8,700 volunteer hours donated, held 43 volunteer days, dug over 28,000 tons of mud.

The organization will continue providing affected homeowners with mudding out and demo services, repairing structural damage, and working with contractors to help guide residents as they rebuild.

If you have property needs, contact disaster@sbhabitat.org.

To learn more about Habitat for Humanity, visit www.sbhabitat.org or call (805) 692-2226.