LHCDC uses United Way funds to build "Hope"
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Mr. Eddie Tyson came to Lexington with hopes of building a life working in the Furniture Industry. Mr. Tyson and his wife settled in the Southmont Community, and he retired from Stanley Furniture. Since Retirement, Mr. Tyson became disabled and needed a roof that he could not afford on a fixed income. Estimates for removal and disposal were averaging around $12k with an additional $9k for repairs and installation of new metal roof. This was so far beyond their allowable budget and their home was on the verge of other problems if the roof was not repaired. After long discussions with the homeowner, local government officials, Social Services, LHCDC staff and a willing contractor, we were able to completely replace the roof on their home with United Way Funding.
United Way funds are so important to the Lexington Housing Community Development Corporation (LHCDC). Without those funds clients wouldn’t be able to receive any assistance and more than likely be displaced from their homes. Our state funds alone do not give us leveraging power when it comes to negotiating some of these repairs. We recently proved that United Way funding continuously let us serve nearly 50% more Davidson County clients than if we didn’t have the additional support. More importantly our home repairs and accessibility modifications are not just a quick band-aid type fix. LHCDC takes pride in our quality of work and our goal is to do things that last for years to come. Also keep this in mind, the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA) has documentation showing for every $1 spent on home repairs/accessibility modifications to keep a NC resident safely in their own home, it saves the state $19 versus that same client being placed in a assisted living facility.
Our mission is to educate, empower, and affirm individuals and families to achieve homeownership, develop new affordable housing, and improve existing housing throughout Davidson County. For 19 years the Home Repair Program has been vital to Davidson County's lowincome families and community revitalization. However, the program has and always will be dependent on community support. Volunteers, monetary/material donors and grants are the structural bones of the program, but it takes muscles to get those bones to move. Having experienced and educated staff keep things moving effectively and efficiently. However, muscles cannot move without blood. General Operating Funds are needed to fund staff, supplies, training, and utilities. Without constant blood flow (operating support) any non-profit would simply fade away. With that being said, the 'brains' of our operation (our board) would like to thank the United Way of Davidson County for keeping our heart beating strong with your continued support. Your hearts have been kind to us over the years and we all know how tough things are right now.
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