Eric Sawyer's Story: Home Repair in Chicago's Austin Neighborhood
Austin, West Side of Chicago | Age 70
Eric Sawyer has needed major home repairs for more than two years. Repeated flooding across the Chicago area left his Austin home with severe basement water damage. FEMA assistance helped, but it wasn't enough to make the house safe and livable again.
His roofs are failing too. Strong winds tear shingles off his house and garage, and after every storm, Mr. Sawyer clears the debris from his yard.
There has been progress. Through a City of Chicago program, crews have installed a new basement floor and replaced five doors. The roofs, however, remain unaddressed.
Mr. Sawyer still needs new roofs on both his house and garage to keep his home safe, secure, and weather-resistant. So far, he hasn't found a program that will fund work this extensive.
Help Should Finish the Job
Eric Sawyer’s story shows the existing gap in today's programs. Help is available to start fixing the problem, but it lacks the necessary funding and resources to finish the job. A statewide home repair program would close that gap.
Stories like Mr. Sawyer's show legislators where today's programs fall short. If you or someone you love needs home repairs you can't afford, we want to hear from you.
