A Brush with Kindness
Find resources for home repairs, information on energy-efficiency upgrades, resources for aging homeowners, and more, all in the 7-county metro area.
A Brush with Kindness Home Repairs
Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity's A Brush with Kindness (ABWK) program preserves affordable homeownership for income-qualified clients across the seven-county metro area. Since 1989, we have served more than 2,500 homeowners.
Using a combination of skilled staff, volunteers, and subcontractors, we help stabilize homeowners facing significant repairs such as the following:
- Accessibility modifications
- Exterior painting
- Health and safety (handrails, grab bars, flooring)
- Mechanical system repairs (heating, plumbing, electrical)
- Roof replacement
- Siding and window repairs
We currently have funding for a limited number of projects. If you are seeking assistance with home repairs, please email abwk@tchabitat.org or call 612- 788-8169 for details on eligibility and to receive an application.
Do I qualify for A Brush with Kindness?
You may qualify for A Brush with Kindness if you are a homeowner and meet the following requirements:
- Home is located in the seven-county metro
- Home is owner-occupied (lived in/owned) for at least the last 10 years
- Household income is below 80% of Twin Cities median income (see our income chart)
- Homeowner has not received assistance through A Brush with Kindness in the past two years
- Homeowner must not be planning to move or sell the home
- Needed repairs must match what A Brush with Kindness does for each respective program offering
- Home must be up-to-date on property taxes and behind no more than three months on mortgage payments
- Home must be in compliance with our Environmental Hazard Policy (see signature page)
If you think you may be eligible for A Brush with Kindness services, please email abwk@tchabitat.org or call 612- 788-8169.
Additional Home Repair Resources
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Age Well at Home
Age Well at Home helps to preserve homeownership by bringing housing and healthcare services together to assist older adults to remain in their home as they age.
Home modifications may include:
- Smart doorbells and devices
- Improved lighting
- Ramps
- Stair lifts and chair lifts
- Grab bars and extra railings
- Hand-held showers
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Center for Energy & Environment (CEE)
Through the Minnesota Housing and Finance Agency, CEE offers low interest home energy loans for Minnesota homeowners to make energy improvements in their homes. Loan funds are subject to availability.
Energy improvements may include:
- Furnace
- Central A/C
- Water heater
- Window replacement
- Light fixtures
- Insulation
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Hearts & Hammers
Hearts & Hammers assists low-income homeowners with deteriorating home exteriors. Often these neighbors face the reality of losing the place they love. Free exterior restorations can keep that from happening. Hearts & Hammers' mission is to provide exterior home improvement assistance for senior citizens, disabled individuals, veterans of the United States Armed Forces or their surviving spouse so they may continue living independently.
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Minnesota Community Action Partnership
In Minnesota, 24 Community Action Agencies and 11 Tribal Nations serve all 87 counties across the state. Local Community Action Agencies (CAAs) offer custom programs to meet the unique needs of their communities, but they do share common goals. The programs offered help and encourage children and youth development, support people experiencing poverty, provide aid in times of crisis, sustain and honor senior citizens and people with disabilities, and strengthen families and communities.
Programs may include:
- Energy and Utility Assistance
- Eviction Prevention
- Home Rehabilitation & Repair
- Mortgage Assistance
- Senior Independent Living Services (SAIL)
- Weatherization
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NeighborWorks Home Partners
NeighborWorks provides affordable home improvement financing to homeowners throughout Minnesota, with an emphasis on Twin Cities locations. They work with homeowners on a variety of projects to improve the safety of the home and the health of the people who live there
Repairs may include:
- Correcting mandatory rehab problems such as roofs, furnaces, and exterior painting
- Making a home more suitable for a family by adding bathrooms or accessibility modifications
- For some clients, assistance with aesthetic home improvement projects
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Rebuilding Together
Rebuilding Together Minnesota works year-round to sustain healthy neighborhoods and ensure that people in need can live independently and safely in their homes through the following programs:
- Home Repair - The Home Repair program provides volunteer-delivered safe and healthy housing repairs including interior improvements (i.e. installing flooring, patching and painting), siding, windows, and landscaping. It also provides sub-contractor delivered repair or replacement of essential systems, such as HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and roofs that are critical to healthy, livable homes.
- Safe at Home - The Safe at Home program provides home safety and fall prevention modifications and ramps for older adults or those living with a disability so they can continue to live safely and independently in their own homes.
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Senior Community Services
The Household & Outdoor Maintenance Program offers chore services for any person aged 60 and over, regardless of income. The program provides services for over 40 cities in the Twin Cities and West Metro areas.
Services may include:- Basic cleaning and housekeeping tasks
- Helping with laundry
- Fixing or replacing faucets, toilets, and garbage disposals
- Minor carpentry projects
- Door or window repairs
- Yard maintenance services
- Free in-home safety checks
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Sustainable Resources Center
Sustainable Resources Center, Inc. is a grant-funded Minneapolis-based nonprofit organization that helps income-qualified residents of Hennepin County live in safer, healthier homes through lead risk identification, lead hazard remediation, and weatherization.
Services may include:
- Installing insulation
- Reducing air leaks
- Performing heating tune-ups and modifications
- Replacing appliances for energy efficiency and safety
- Lead hazard control grants
- Community health screenings and education
- Home lead assessments
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United Way 2-1-1
United Way 2-1-1 provides free and confidential health and human services information for people in Minnesota. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to connect you with the resources and information you need.
Program referrals may include:
- Energy and Utility Assistance
- Eviction Prevention
- Home Rehabilitation & Repair
- Mortgage Assistance
- Senior Independent Living Services (SAIL)
- Weatherization.
Considering DIY? Check out ReStore
The Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity ReStores are home improvement outlets open to the public. Shop for quality donated furniture, lighting, paint products, and building supplies at a fraction of the original cost. It’s the perfect place for bargain seekers and DIYers to shop and find great deals for all kinds of home remodeling projects.
Support A Brush with Kindness
The number of people A Brush with Kindness is able to serves depends on the funding available. We are in need of funding to continue our crucial work in the community and helping families stay in their homes. If you would like make a donation to support A Brush with Kindness, please click here.
Connect with us!
Twin Cities Habitat strives to create and foster meaningful community connections. When we work together, we can help more families. If you are a social worker, case manager, or other care professional and have a client in need, please click here.
