Hammer with a Heart - a brief history

Even though Project Home’s two home repair programs charged low fees for repairs ($8 an hour for labor and low cost materials) 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 one day event is typically on the first Saturday in May.

Each year, hundreds of dedicated skilled and unskilled volunteers, crew leaders and volunteer leaders, corporate sponsors and materials contributors work to provide important home repairs to low-income residents who own homes in Dane County. This year we will repair 7 or 8 homes and a low-income apartment building on Allied Drive that is owned by Project Home.

To date we have helped 28 low-income homeowners and three non-profit residential facilities receive $425,000 in building repair. Typical projects include – kitchen and bath remodels, ramps, stairs, and electrical, plumbing projects. These repair projects are truly life changing.

A recipient recently wrote:

“Thank you so much for all you have done for me and my family. I would not be as good of a homeowner and neighbor if you were not in the community. I appreciate all you’ve done for us.” Chris and her three children

2008 Hammer with a Heart Home Sponsors:

Click here to become a Hammer with a Heart Volunteer

Homeowner Information

Project Home’s Hammer with a Heart brings together volunteers from the community to assist low-income homeowners with much needed repairs to their homes.

• Project Home will administer the Hammer with a Heart program.
• Skilled and unskilled volunteers will provide labor for Hammer with a Heart.
• A committee will select which homes will be repaired based on financial need, condition of the home, and availability of volunteers.
• All repairs or improvements will be discussed with and approved by the homeowner prior to the day of the event via Project Home’s Outreach Specialist and Volunteer Team Leader.
• This will be a one day event, although some prep work may need to occur before the event date.
• Homeowner must be home all day of the event.
• Repairs will be provided at no cost to the recipients, however some homeowners may need to sign a five-year forgivable loan for the assessed value of the repairs. 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.

• Single family owner occupied home, not a mobile home or condominium
• Located within Dane County
• Home must be in need of repairs or accessibility improvements, but structurally sound
• Total annual household income must meet these income guidelines