Texas Foundations Fund: Helping Texans Improve their Homes and their Lives

September 18, 2015 | by Katie Claflin

Categories: Home Rehabilitation/Repairs, Homelessness, Rental Housing, Supportive Housing Services

Last week TSAHC's Board of Directors approved the 2015 Texas Foundations Fund grant awards. Through the Texas Foundations Fund, TSAHC provides grants to fund home repairs and supportive services that provide housing stability to very low-income Texans.  

For this week's blog post, we would like to share the stories of Ida and Willy, who were able to improve their lives thanks to the Texas Foundations Fund.  We look forward to partnering with our 2015 grantees to help families and individuals achieve similar successes in the coming year.

Ida’s Story
Nonprofit Partner: Trinity Habitat for Humanity
Fort Worth, Texas

Ida has lived in the Como neighborhood of west Fort Worth since 1965.  She and her husband purchased their home in 1997, but her husband has since passed away, and she does not have any other family in the area. She lives alone with her 11-year-old canine companion Cindy. 

Ida needed some home repairs to make her home safer, but she could not afford to make the repairs herself. Fortunately she qualified for Trinity Habitat for Humanity’s Preserve-a-Home repair program.

Using a grant from the Texas Foundations Fund, Trinity Habitat for Humanity was able to perform Ida’s repairs at no cost.  They replaced the ramp on the front of her home, installed new siding, and painted the exterior of her home.

Ida is very grateful to everyone that made her home rehab possible, and although she could not physically help with the repairs, she enjoyed providing refreshments to the staff and volunteers as they worked.

Willy’s Story
Nonprofit Partner: New Hope Housing, Inc.
Houston, Texas

Willy’s troubles began many years ago when he moved to Texas from Alabama.  Surrounded by people he didn’t know, he made some bad decisions, which landed him on the streets and eventually in jail.

Willy grew tired of the life he was living, and one day he decided to do something about it. He spent nine months at the Open Door Mission rehabilitation center, where he learned about the supporting housing program provided by New Hope Housing.

Since moving in to New Hope’s Brays Crossing apartments, Willy has completely turned his life around. With a grant from the Texas Foundations Fund, New Hope was able to provide Willy with financial education and other services to help him improve his credit score, budget his money and repair the relationships he had lost. He recently purchased a car and has regained contact with his family.

Now back on his feet, Willy is focusing on helping others. He has become a spiritual guide for some of the other male residents, and he uses his car to transport residents to local food pantries and doctor appointments.  

Support the Texas Foundations Fund

Private grants and donations play an important role in helping TSAHC grow our Texas Foundations Fund program.  By supporting the Texas Foundations Fund, you can help Texans like Ida and Willy access the resources they need to improve their homes and avoid becoming homeless.  

Click here to learn more about how to support the Texas Foundations Fund.

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On the House blog posts are meant to provide general information on various housing-related issues, research and programs. We are not liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the information provided by blog sources. Furthermore, this blog is not legal advice and should not be used as a substitute for legal advice from a licensed professional attorney.