Home repair program helping low-income home owners after massive rainstorm in Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Janice Depew of Carpenteria isn’t sure what she would have done if it weren’t for the Habitat Santa Barbara.

"I did have hip replacement surgery with my right hip," said Depew.

The home owner was no longer able to get in and out of her tub comfortably.

"They were able to give me a walk in shower," said Depew.

Her neighborhood was hard hit by the rainstorm and was ordered to be evacuated.

Now the organization is getting dozens of calls from families in need of home repairs.

"We are the organization that can provide home repairs and be a source of hope for people," said director Susan Renehan of philanthropy & External Affairs at Habitat Santa Barbara.

The habitat team is seeing a high demand for home repairs among low income families right now.

"Two out of five house holds in Santa Barbara are low income. And of the people who are home owners, 24 percent of them are not only low income, but they’re in need of repairs of their home and keep them their safely," said president and CEO Jessica De L’Arbre of Habitat Santa Barbara.

Habitat team members said they are currently accepting applications for their home repair program.

"Having a critical home repair need can be traumatic and it can be frightening and a lot of times people don’t know where to turn. We want to make sure the community news we can be that source of hope for them," said Renehan.

"also feel if I had storm damage that the way habitat humanity works that they would come help me with that," said Depew.

If you are a low income family in need of home repairs, contact Habitat Santa Barbara at https://www.sbhabitat.org/.