Home Repairs Help Carrick Homeowner Create a Lasting Family Haven
After losing her mother, her husband, and her son, Mrs. Shirley Roberts found herself navigating life, grief, and the upkeep of her longtime Carrick home on her own.
Through the Housing Opportunity Fund’s Homeowner Assistance Program (HAP), she found the support she needed to make long-overdue repairs to her home and to preserve it for future generations.
Roberts recalled that the shower wasn’t working, the tiles were falling, and the exhaust fan was broken. The bathroom, barely functional and outdated, was transformed into a full, bright, and accessible space.
She worked closely with the contractors from Enlightened Remodeling, describing the process as collaborative and empowering.
“I didn’t feel like I was the recipient of something free,” she said. “I was actively involved.”
They even went shopping together. From the grout color to the vanity, she handpicked nearly every detail.
“They always consulted me. It made me feel like they cared about what I think and want.”
The contractors suggested rearranging the bathroom fixtures and expanding the wall to take the small bathroom size to a full bath. While the new bathroom slightly reduced her bedroom space, the tradeoff was worth it: improved lighting, updated plumbing, new fixtures, tile and paint, and a safer, more comfortable environment that Roberts is proud to show her family and guests.
Mrs. Robert's bathroom after HAP renovations
Born in the Hill District and a longtime Pittsburgher, Roberts can recount stories from her life and home in remarkable detail. She sees her home as a true blessing. Her children, grandchildren, and ‘great-grands,’ as she calls them, often come to visit and stay with her. She wanted a place her loved ones could always come home to. Thanks to the recent improvements and her dedication to maintaining her home, that vision is a reality. Her home is one filled with the continuity of love, comfort, family, and care.
To learn more about the Homeowner Assistance Program, which offers up to $35,000 for City of Pittsburgh homeowners to make repairs, visit the program page here. The program is open for a limited time each year and has eligibility criteria.
