Major Sponsor

How Hammer with a Heart Works -

Each fall, Project Home seeks lower-income homeowners who live in Dane County to apply to receive free minor to major home repair through the 9th Annual Hammer with a Heart event on Saturday, May 1, 2010.  Applications are available online (click here to apply) or from our office, (608) 246-3737. The deadline is November 11, 2009.  A single person can make up to $27,150 per year (see chart below).

(photo: Waunakee Remodeling house, new stairs, windows & other repairs, May, 09)

Applying for Hammer with a Heart--The Process

Complete applications are reviewed and the first selections are made by late November. Two staff from Project Home visit all of the eligible and appropriate candidates to see if the work requested meets sufficient need, is within our skill level, and meets our time availability (will it take only 2 hours which is too small, or 50 hours, which is too big), and if we can obtain the needed materials and permits. We will schedule a visit to see the house issues usually between mid November and early January.

Staff then select most appropriate applications and bring them to the committee of Volunteer Leaders. Typically they select a few houses to visit and choose one that is a good fit.  If your house is selected, you will likely be notified by early March. We will probably repair ten houses this coming year.  The selection of houses is up to Project Home staff and skilled Crew Leaders.  If turned down, homeowners can reapply the next year unless they are advised that they are not appropriate candidates.

The Volunteers

The Volunteer Crew Leaders are mostly employed in, or own construction companies. They bring onto their crews other skilled tradespeople like electricians and plumbers when needed. The Community Volunteers are from local companies, churches, community service organizations, college groups, and lots of individuals, and many have volunteered for several years. Project Home staff match the selected houses with additional community volunteers to assist the skilled volunteers and carry out a variety of other work like lawn care, window cleaning, etc. Typically there are between 15-25 people at each house the first Saturday in May. 

Hammer with a Heart also relies on corporate sponsorships and materials and services, usually donated or discounted. The best homeowner candidates have work that can be completed mostly in one day, although some have taken 2-3 weeks.  

If you are interested in replacement of many windows and/or doors, please know your application may not make it through the first round. New windows and doors are very expensive and rarely increase the comfort of a home or reduce energy bills by very much. There are many other places in a home that contribute to it being cold.  If you do not know if you have appropriate projects for Hammer with a Heart, call Susan at 246-3737 to discuss them.

• Single family owner occupied home, not a mobile home or condominium (duplexes can be considered).
• Located in Dane County.
• House must be in need of repairs that impact health, safety, comfort or be accessibility improvements.
• House must be structurally sound.
• Repair needs must be mostly addressed through this work, not have serious problems remain (indicates project is too large).
• Homeowner must be cooperative to work with, polite and appreciative of volunteers.
• Total annual household income must meet these income guidelines.

In 2009, we repaired 12 homes plus a low-income apartment building for this year's Hammer with a Heart--the most so far. Please see the registration forms below for Volunteers and Homeowners for the May 1, 2010 event. If the repairs significantly increase the value of your home (like a kitchen or bath remodel which isn't very common), some homeowners may need to sign a five-year forgivable loan for the assessed value of the repairs (usually between $3,000 - $7,000). This loan will be forgiven at 20% per year and completely forgiven if the homeowner does not sell, transfer ownership, take equity out of, or move from this home for five years. The assessed value of the repairs will be determined after the home inspection and before any loan agreement is signed.

Call Susan or Kathy at 608.246.3737 for more information.

Hammer with a Heart 2009 was a Big Success!

In 2009, we repaired 12 homes plus a low-income apartment building for the 2009 Hammer with a Heart--the most so far. Please see the registration forms below for Volunteers and Homeowners for the May 1, 2010 event.

Thanks very much to all of the volunteers, crew leaders, volunteer leaders, donors and material sponsors who helped make Hammer with a Heart such a success. Project Home and nearly 200 volunteers helped 12 homeowners and their families, and the Prairie Crossing Apartments by making significant home repairs inside and out for those who cannot afford to make the repairs themselves (for more photos from 2009, and 2008 Hammer projects, click on Hammer with a Heart Gallery on the left).  If your company is interested in sponsorship, please see the homepage HOW TO HELP/Become a Sponsor. 

Some of the highlights from Hammer with a Heart 2009 include:

Madison Area Builders Association

LeeAnne and her two young boys now have a newly sided home and gutters, plus a new furnace, water softener, air conditioner and safe steps from their front door. Crew led by Madison Area Builders Association (LeeAnne on right, and MABA crew)

W.E. Davies + Sons Remodeling

 

Carpenters Local #314

  

Brian and Joni appreciate their new safe, remodeled bathroom, new back porch roof, and two windows and three doors. Community volunteers helped sort materials for donation and replaced the porch screen on the front of the house.                  

Peggy, 58, now has accessible doors, a wheel chair ramp, and a hazard-free garden that will allow her to stay in her home, also courtesy of Carpenters Union #314 led by Jim Bakken.

  

Over the last eight years, a total of fifty-four homeowners and their families have received $585,000 worth of critical home improvements including wheel chair ramps, stairs, kitchen cupboards, roofs, hot water heaters, plumbing and electrical work.

A recipient recently wrote:

"I wanted to write and say thank you again for all the wonderful things you and your staff have done for me. All day long as I watched the volunteers there were nothing but smiles and moods were nothing but positive. All seemed to be happy to be here helping and doing such hard work... I could never have done this on my own. A great stress has been lifted. Thank you all."  Ray

“Click here to become a Hammer with a Heart Volunteer. Registration deadline is Thursday, April 1, 2010.

We are grateful to the hard-working people who participated in Hammer with a Heart.

Brief History

Even though Project Home’s two home repair programs charged low fees for repairs ($ 10/hour) for low to moderate income residents, the cost was often too expensive for our low-income customers. We determined that a program was needed to provide free home repair. As a result, Hammer with a Heart was formed in 2002 to meet that unmet need. This event is on the first Saturday in May.