Verde Valley News – The Wells Fargo Foundation has awarded $15,000 in funding to Verde Valley Habitat for Humanity to repair homes in Verde Valley communities. Verde Valley Habitat for Humanity is one of 179 local Habitat for Humanity affiliates awarded grant funding through the 2024 Wells Fargo Builds program to increase access to affordable homes across the U.S.
The grant awarded to Verde Valley Habitat for Humanity will fund essential repairs for a home in Cornville, Arizona. The homeowner, who has lived in the property for 30 years, is facing significant health challenges that have made it difficult to maintain the home. Currently, the house lacks a functional sewer system, heating, and cooling, and the property requires extensive exterior cleanup. Located in a rural area with few nearby neighbors, the home’s conditions have become a growing concern for the homeowner’s well-being. This grant will provide much-needed support to restore safe and livable conditions.
On November 30, 2024 Wells Fargo volunteers from the Sedona Wells Fargo branch will join
Verde Valley Habitat for Humanity to clean up the exterior area of the home, prepare and paint the home. Other work to be completed will repair the septic system and replace the heating and cooling system. Tania Simms, Executive Director, says, “Many local homeowners live in homes that are both unhealthy and unsafe, yet they remain largely unseen by the community. These homeowners often lack nearby family or any support network to assist them. By improving the health and safety of their homes, we can help ensure they can stay where they are, even when they have nowhere else to turn.”
At least one in seven Arizona households spend over half of their income on housing and the number of Verde Valley families who are struggling to afford rent is on the rise. The Wells Fargo grant will support improvements to a local home providing a healthier and safer living environment. Celebrating the holidays in a safe, decent and affordable home will make this time of year more special for this homeowner. Verde Valley Habitat for Humanity is driven by our vision that everyone deserves a decent place to live. The affiliate has provided critical home repairs to homeowners throughout the Verde Valley since 2016.
This funding is part of a $6.375 million donation to Habitat for Humanity International through the 2024 Wells Fargo Builds program to help support more than 290 families in communities nationwide.
About Verde Valley Habitat for Humanity
Verde Valley Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1993 by a group of area residents concerned about the lack of affordable housing in the Verde Valley. Today we serve the Verde Valley through two programs. Our primary program is to partner with low-income families in need of decent, affordable housing to help them build their own home and qualify for an affordable mortgage. For almost 30 years, VVHFH has built or rehabilitated 21 homes throughout the Verde Valley. The second program helps low-income homeowners at risk of losing their home due to critical repair needs that they cannot afford. Since 2016, the Critical Home Repair program has helped 126 homeowners stay safely in their own homes across the Verde Valley.