Habitat For Humanity Helps Carpinteria Family Replace An Aging Mobile Home
CARPINTERIA, Calif. (KEYT) - Facing a fierce winter weather forecast, a Carpinteria family is getting badly needed help with new housing from Habitat for Humanity for Southern Santa Barbara County.
The non-profit has a program to help those who own manufactured-type homes before 1976 that are in dangerously run down conditions.
Director of Philanthropy and External Affairs for Habitat for Humanity Susan Renehan said, "this is a brand new program for us which is whole home replacement program for mobile homes. The state of California understands that mobile homes are naturally affordable housing."
One of the first changes will be in Carpinteria where the Gonzalez family has seven members under one leaking roof.
Barbara Gonzalez said, "the roof, two years ago, it fell and my brother, he does construction, and he fixed a part of the roof but he says this is not going to last you guys."
The new home comes at a critical time with harsh weather likely and safety, a risk.
Juan Gonzalez said, "we are a poor family and we feeling good right now that we are getting a new home." He thanked everyone who was able to put the program in place for their family.
The Habitat program was made available and they qualified. That also includes taking part in some of the moving parts that includes the move out and at times some of the improvements to finish off the new home.
The mobile home park where the current structure sits, is on Carpinteria Ave. and could be in a flooded area if the worst of the El Niño rains come all at once and during a higher tide from the ocean nearby.
Habitat says the new housing will meet current code standards and be elevated appropriately to be above any possible pooling rainwater.
Mike Davis is the Habitat for Humanity Construction Director. He said, "we are going to be placing the family safely in another location while this is going on. This is going to take about six weeks. We will be pulling the home and doing site work as necessary to accept a new home."
He said there would not be shared space for the kids sleeping and the living room space.
"To create a place for their kids to grow and for the family to thrive means the world to me," he said.
Macy's homes in Ventura County is assisting in the project with a specially built home that is simplified to make the collaboration work and provide the upgraded living for this family. It will also give them the room to add storage and other amenities that will work for their specific lifestyle.
Throughout Southern Santa Barbara County, Habitat says those in need can apply for assistance in home repairs and possible replacements where it can be worked out through financial assistance and the on going help of volunteers who take on these projects.
Renehan said, "if their looking around their home and saying I am not sure if my home would qualify but it needs a lot of work please keep in touch with us."
Barbara Gonzalez said, the program is very possible for others. "If there is more family out there, like us they should apply and don't think twice. Just go for it ."
For more information go to: Habitat for Humanity.
The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.
