After living with a faulty roof for 15 years, a local veteran is not only getting it replaced, but he’s getting the new roof for free.
Navy veteran Willie Howard is being given a new, $18,000 roof as part of a partnership between Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity and Shingle and Metal Roofs, the two groups announced at a news conference Monday.
The free roof is a part of Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity’s Roof Replacement Program, which assists existing homeowners in preserving their homes.
“It’s just a blessing to get the roof done,” said Mr. Howard, who lives in the 1300 block of Potomac Drive. “I was struggling trying to get it done on my own and with the position I was in. I wasn’t able to get a loan. I thank Habitat for Humanity for coming through for me.”
Erin McPartland, executive director of Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity, said it was an honor for the nonprofit to serve someone who spent two years fighting for the country during the Vietnam War.
“For a lot of seniors and veterans, they’re on fixed incomes,” she said. “If you think about it, $18,000 could be their whole annual income, so for us and for him, this roof is huge. It stabilizes their life. For a lot of homeowners, their home is all they have. If they aren’t able to live in their homes safely, then what else do they really have?”
Chanelle Wright, owner and CEO of Shingle and Metal Roofs, felt like her company was finally in a position to become involved in some sort of charitable donation, she said.
She was encouraged by a friend of hers to reach out to Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity because Shingle and Metal Roofs already had done work with the nonprofit.
“I reached out to my connection from Maumee Valley and he’s like, ‘Oh, you guys want to do that? That’s great because I got the perfect house,’” Ms. Wright said.
Ms. Wright and members of her staff visited Mr. Howard’s home to introduce themselves, tell him what they wanted to do, and thank him for his service in the military.
“My uncle was in the Air Force,” she said. “When it came to something like this, I really wanted to help. It was cool.”
Mr. Howard’s home is the 500th roof that’s been replaced as a result of the roof replacement program, Ms. McPartland said.
Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity is expected to complete 100 roof replacement projects by the end of 2024, she said.
“Most people know us for creating opportunities for affordable homeownership, but we extend our work to people who already own their own homes and want to preserve the place they call home,” Ms. McPartland said. “It keeps people living in their communities, and it revitalizes neighborhoods.”
First Published April 29, 2024, 5:54 p.m.
