Hands on Housing is the largest volunteer-based home repair effort in Austin. We repair and revitalize the homes of senior citizens and disabled homeowners who are living in deep poverty. Our goal is to help them safely remain in the homes they love and to provide an outlet for the compassion shared by all of the great faith traditions. Since 1990, Hands on Housing volunteers have repaired over 1000 homes.
We believe that repairing homes restores hope to the individuals we work with and changes the hearts of those who do the work. Hands on Housing is a transformational expression of faith in action.
We invite you to get involved!
Individual faith communities, civic organizations, student groups and businesses can create teams and “adopt” a home or partner on one of our “interfaith homes.” We have two main volunteer repair events per year (in the spring and fall.)
Doris (Hands on Housing Client) and Kathy Weiner (Hands on Housing Program Coordinator)
Because of the immense need for housing repair services in our community, we also repair homes year-round with our “Handy Helpers” program. Handy Helpers are skilled volunteers that tackle smaller ongoing repairs throughout the year. Starting in 2010 we have also partnered with The City of Austin to provide extensive repairs for homeowners with pressing needs.
If you are interested in forming a volunteer group, becoming a Handy Helper or sponsoring our efforts, contact Kathy Weiner, Hands on Housing Coordinator.
Learn how to form a Hands on Housing Team!
Hands on Housing provides a wonderful opportunity for congregations, co-workers, and colleagues to share their compassion and build a sense of community and accomplishment. Many teams get “hooked” on the experience and return year after year.
Hands on Housing volunteers usually work as teams of 10-20 people per house, but can be much larger if the project calls for it. Teams select a home from the Hands on Housing applicant file after careful consideration of their skills, resources and time availability. A match is made when a homeowner and a team agree upon what repairs will be made. After this agreement is reached, volunteers repair the home usually during one of the two Hands on Housing intensive home repair ‘weekends’ each year. Most projects are completed in a day.
Skilled volunteers are always needed, but you don’t have to know how to swing a hammer to help! There are always plenty of jobs for people to help paint, prep and clean up the homes.
Although most teams provide the needed materials and supplies, Hands on Housing helps others find supplemental funding, donated materials, and skilled labor to complete their project.
We have a special need for retired volunteers with skills in carpentry, plumbing, and other repair related skills for our small “Handy Helpers” teams. Our Handy Helpers program operates year-round and will often complete more high-level repairs in preparation for the larger teams of event volunteers.
If you are interested in forming a volunteer group, becoming a Handy Helper or sponsoring our efforts, contact Kathy Weiner, Hands on Housing Coordinator.
(512) 386-9145