A Brush with Kindness
Find resources for home repairs, weatherization assistance, energy-efficiency upgrades, resources for aging homeowners, and more in the 7-county metro area.
No-Cost Tree Care Grant Program
Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity’s A Brush with Kindness program is accepting applications for a limited time to help homeowners address critical tree care needs, including trees affected by Emerald Ash Borer. Funding for these projects is made possible by a grant from the USDA Forest Service and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Projects will be considered on a first come, first served basis, with priority given to homeowners who have received citations from their city requiring tree removal. To apply, fill out this form or call (612) 788-8169.
A Brush with Kindness Home Repairs
As of March 2022, we are no longer accepting applications for Home Repair projects. If you are seeking assistance with home repairs, please see the additional resources below.
Moving forward, our Home Repair resources will be available to clients by referral only from a limited number of partner municipalities and agencies.
We recognize that this is a disappointment for homeowners who were expecting us to open applications this spring. Fortunately, there are several other organizations in the Twin Cities area that offer home repair services. Please review the list below. If you are unable to connect with a resource, please email us at abwk@tchabitat.org
Resources
Minnesota Home Repair Assistance
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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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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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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, home lighting, 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 everything from small projects to large home remodeling updates.
