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Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton recently visited one of their most memorable critical repair recipients, Ms. Gruber of Dayton. In 2021, a leaky roof came crashing down on the 75-year-old, changing the course of her life.

“I heard a noise and thought someone was trying to break in,” she recalled. “I no sooner got out of that room and it (the roof) fell in. But God kept me safe. Even when it fell on me the other time while I was in bed. It stunned me for a minute, but I didn’t get hurt. I’m just so thankful I won’t have to worry about that again.”

Something had to be done. The tarps that covered six holes in her roof were no longer keeping the flood at bay. The ceiling under them was deteriorating at a dangerous speed. Despite the direness of the situation, Ms. Gruber was stuck. With no money to get the work done she turned to the Area Agency on Aging, which contacted Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton.

Dayton Habitat’s critical repair program has grown exponentially since its inception after the Memorial Day tornados. As an extension of their mission to build strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter, Dayton Habitat helps families maintain and stay in their homes.

The critical repair work of Dayton Habitat has had a positive impact on both the physical well-being and mental health of the homeowners served. Ms. Gruber would talk about the feelings of dread and anxiety that her situation caused her.

“It bothered me. It made me real sad,” she admitted. “When it rained, I’d get my buckets out and say ‘Here we go again.’ I’d pray sometimes for it not to rain. I’d dread it, because I knew what would happen. Now I am looking forward to the next rain so I can sit here and enjoy it. I haven’t for so long.”

On the outside, it appeared that the leaking roof was just causing drywall and ceiling damage; however, there was another safety issue – possible mold.

“I would have to take soap and water and wash off the ceilings,” Gruber said. “Now there’s no more mold. That black mold is dangerous to your health.”

A few weeks after the mold was cleared, Ms. Gruber was able to move about her home without her walker. Four years later, she contributes the work done to her house directly to her increased health and quality of life.

There are many people in Clark, Greene, and Montgomery counties who are in similar situations to Ms. Gruber. Thanks to generous donors and community partners, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton is able to offer a number of repairs to qualifying homeowners at no cost. Those repairs include:

• Accessibility: wheelchair ramps, grab bars, widening doorways, converting tubs into accessible showers
• Electrical repairs
• Furnace replacement
• HVAC repairs
• Plumbing repairs
• Roof repairs/replacements
• Water heater replacement
• Repairs of code violations to prevent further fines

To learn more about the critical repair program and donate to their efforts, go to https://daytonhabitat.org/what-we-do/critical-repairs.html