Celebrating five years of the Home Repair Program

Wichita Habitat for Humanity is proud to celebrate the five-year anniversary of our Home Repair Program, a significant milestone in our mission to provide critical home repairs that empowers homeowners to age in place with dignity and security. From our humble beginnings to our current success, this program has made a lasting impact on our community.

Since its inception, the program has successfully served 132 households, providing essential repairs that have improved the quality of life for countless families in Sedgwick County. In our first year, we served just 19 homes, but through collaboration with community partners, local businesses, and passionate volunteers, we have steadily grown to serve 30 homes per year.

One of the most impactful changes to the program came in our third year when we hired a dedicated general contractor and a helper. This strategic move allowed us to reduce project costs by eliminating profit margins and overhead fees associated with hiring outside contractors. It also gave us better control over timelines and increased our efficiency, enabling us to complete more repairs and help more families.

We are especially proud of the positive outcomes we’ve seen in the lives of the families we serve. Home Repair manager Jodi Suhler shares, “Our program isn’t just about fixing a roof or replacing a water heater; it’s about providing a sense of stability and security to our homeowners, giving them the peace of mind to live comfortably in the homes they love.” The team’s unwavering passion for the program, along with the ability to track and evaluate our work, has enabled us to continuously improve and ensure we meet our mission to make lasting changes.

In a continued effort to expand our reach, we’ve formed a new partnership with Mennonite Housing, which will allow us to serve an additional 35 homes in Sedgwick County over the next two years. This collaboration strengthens our ability to meet the growing demands for repairs and serves as a testament to the power of working together to address housing needs.

We are also excited to partner with Goodwill Industries as our education and training partner in the coming years, offering educational opportunities to 100% of applications to the Home Repair Program. Through NexStep Alliance—a collaboration between Goodwill Industries and WSU Tech—participants will have access to tuition-free, adult education designed to prepare them for in-demand, family-sustaining careers.

In addition, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Kansas will be the service provider for mental and behavioral services offered to all participants of Wichita Habitat for Humanity’s Home Repair Program.

One of our greatest challenges is the reality that we can’t serve everyone. Like many programs, we’ve encountered obstacles, particularly in securing sufficient funding and navigating the limitations that come with it. Over time, we’ve learned that diversifying our funding sources and obtaining unrestricted support are essential to sustaining and growing the program. These lessons have made us more resilient and better equipped to continue serving our community for the long term.

Looking ahead, we have set ambitious goals to increase our impact. Our goal is to serve 36 homes next year, 48 homes the year after, and 60 homes by 2028, effectively doubling our production. We are also prioritizing underserved areas, with a specific focus on neighborhoods with the greatest needs. To support this, we’ve applied for a $1 million grant that would allow us to serve 75 homes in the next two years, helping even more families in these high-priority communities.

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our partners, supporters, and the entire community. Your trust and collaboration have been vital to the success of our Home Repair Program. Here’s to the next five years of making safe housing a reality for more families in Sedgwick County.

To celebrate this five-year milestone, we invite you to join our $5 for 5 Years challenge. A donation of just $5 will help us continue our vital work, ensuring more families can live in safe and healthy homes. Donate today!