For the Reporter
The City of Auburn is calling on contractors to participate in its free minor home repairs program for owner-occupied homes within city limits.
As the city’s largest homeless prevention program, housing repair services are only available to homeowners who are within the low-to-moderate income limits of the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guidelines. The city is able to help 50 or more households a year, many of whom are elderly and/or disabled and on a fixed income.
Maximum expenditures are $500-$5,000 a year per household with increase expenditures up to $7,000 for most high-cost repairs such as heat pumps/furnaces, ramps, major plumbing/sewer and roof repairs. These repairs will be decided on a case by case situation.
These small home repairs provide a significant service or maintaining the safety of their home and most importantly keeping them in their homes.
The City is inviting local contractors to partner in this program and continue helping those in need in the Auburn community.
Home repair services include:
Safety: Repair and/or replace steps, decks, stairs and trip hazards in the home.
Carpentry: Repair and/or replace damaged flooring, walls, ceilings, cabinets, counters, doors, door and window frames, siding, attached patios.
Plumbing: Repair and/or replace faulty water heaters, leaking faucets, valves, toilets, tubs, showers, sinks, drains, and pipes; clean out waste lines.
Electrical: Repair and/or replace non-working lights, switches, outlets, circuits and exhaust fans.
Heating: Repair and/or replace faulty furnaces, thermostats and heating equipment.
Adaptations for disabilities: Install, repair and/or replace exterior ramps, handrails, grab bars, level door knobs and faucet handles, hand-held shower heads, tub/shower seats, elevated toilet seats, and tub edge saddle grab bars.
Weatherproofing: Repair and/or replace leaking roofs, faulty gutters and downspouts, broken/leaking or single-pane windows; replace and/or add insulation, moisture barrier and mobile home skirting.
Appliances: Repair and/or replace nonworking kitchen appliances, i.e. stove, oven, refrigerator.
Contractors that want to partner with the city’s small home repair program need:
• Washington state business license and UBI number.
• City of Auburn business license
• Proof of insurance
The City retains the right to remove or suspend a company at any time, based on its opinion of the company’s performance and responsibility.
Minority and women–owned businesses are encouraged to apply. For more information, please call 253-931-3099.
