TULSA, OK (KTUL) — A local Tulsa nonprofit is changing the lives of low-income homeowners every day.
Revitalize T-Town, also known as RTT, offers free home repairs to homeowners year-round.
An applicant named Ms. Reed has lived in her home for 30 years. Ms. Reed has two grandchildren who live with her and recently experienced the loss of her daughter in late August.
Despite her grief and the challenges that come with caring for an aging home, she continues to welcome her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren into her home.
For years, Ms. Reed has needed energy efficiency repairs to lower her utility bills, extensive repairs to make her home more accessible, and a new roof.
When asked how free home repairs would benefit her, she explained that handrails would be helpful because she had fallen off her porch several times.
She also mentioned that in her 70s, she finds it harder to move around her bathroom.
Luckily, Ms. Reed's daughter, Angela Reed, enrolled her and her family in Revitalize T-Town to apply for free home repairs.
SEE ALSO: City Council meeting reveals growing unease about surveillance tools in Bartlesville
“It's definitely a blessing because as a homeowner on a fixed income, it's really difficult to get major repairs done like a new roof, windows or door. So it’s definitely a blessing,” says Angela Reed.
Revitalize T-Town replaced some of the home's doors and windows, installed interior grab bars and exterior handrails inside and on the home's porch, installed new flooring throughout the home, and finally replaced their entire roof.
“She is a lifelong Tulsa, she has five children and five grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and this is the family home,” said Jennifer Barcus-Schafer, CEO of Revitalize T-town. “The fact that we can build a new roof for them makes their home safer, we put in new doors and new windows and new floors to make this a place where everyone can be safe and happy together.”
RTT plans to repair 120 houses this year, while last year's target was 108.
To date, there are 124 applicants remaining on the home repair waiting list, showing the need for revitalization in Tulsa.
Ms. Reed is just one of the expected 120 homeowners Revitalize T-Town will provide with free home repairs this year.
Repairs can include safe home repairs, roof repairs or replacements, and energy efficiency. Applicants may call 918-742-6241 to request an application.
The Tulsa community can donate to RTT online to help more Tulsans like Ms. Reed at tinyurl.com/RTTgive.
SIGN UP FOR THE CHANNEL 8 NEWSLETTER