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PHASE 3 HOUSE UPDATE
Recently the House of Hope launched a Phase 3 program which is an additional three-month program offered to its resident graduates. Men may opt to stay in the newly acquired home across from the Post Office. The house provides them with affordable housing as they attend recovery meetings and learn about budgeting and finances. The program is designed to help men maintain sobriety and accountability while working full-time in the community.
The House of Hope residents have completed most of the cleaning out of the house which has filled two dump trailers with old personal property and refuse for disposal. The basement has been completely cleaned and old stairs and shelving removed in order for work to begin including some new electrical and plumbing.
New smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors have been installed and some electrical equipment has been updated.
The men have also gutted the main floor laundry room and half bath and made it ready for a complete remodel. This room will become a 3/4 bath and the laundry will do a 180 with access via an interior hallway rather than the laundry being a part of the 3/4 bath.
An electric water heater has been secured and set to be installed.
The back exterior porch is mostly gutted and ready for new transom windows, spray foam of the foundation, electric baseboard heat and new flooring. This space will become a 5th sleeping space.
New screens have been installed on all the windows that were either missing screens or had screens with tears and holes.
Two new windows have been purchased and will be installed as part of the upper level remodel and the lower bedroom remodel.
Work has started in the front bedroom and includes a new closet, one new window and fresh paint.
A retractable ladder has been purchased for installation to the second story in order to provide a safe and secure exit in case of fire.
New stairs were built for the north entry by the Men of the House.
Used air conditioners which were secured have been installed.
3 ceiling light/fan combo fixtures have been purchased from Habitat that will be installed as part of the electrical upgrade.
Much of the materials needed so far have either been donated or purchased at Habitat.
Work yet to be done on Phase 3 Housing includes:
- Remodel of the upper level which will include more ceiling insulation, a roof dormer over the upper level bathroom to provide adequate head space, two sleeping areas and a small sitting area.
- Opening of an interior wall to expose the stairs to the upper level will allow for new stair treads as well as a safety stair rail.
- Carpet upper level
- Exterior gutters where needed
- Replace some fascia board
- Foundation repair where needed
- Repair front sidewalk
- Final clean-out of the old garage and likely the men will raze the old structure; it is a safety concern.
- Some interior painting and painting of the entire exterior.
We thank the men of the House of Hope for their work and to our volunteers as well. More work to come but our plan is to have the work completed by the end of September.
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