OMAHA, Nebraska—Habitat for Humanity of Omaha has secured funding to repair nearly 60 homes in Sarpy and Cass counties in 2025. This follows the successful completion of repairs on 21 homes in 2024, including the residence of Vietnam veteran Charles of Bellevue.
Each winter, Charles lined the edges of the wooden windows in his house's living room with plastic and sealant to prevent snow from entering.
That changed, however, when he learned about Habitat for Humanity of Omaha’s Home Repair Program. In addition to new windows, this past summer, the Habitat Omaha team replaced the shower surround, toilet, vanity, and sink in an upstairs bathroom, and resealed a walk-in shower in the basement of his nearly 70-year-old home. They also cut down two large trees in the yard.
“I am truly, truly grateful,” said Charles, who served as a U.S. Air Force helicopter mechanic in the Vietnam War, Operation Just Cause in Panama and Operation Desert Shield in the Gulf War. “I never expected all of this.”
Habitat Omaha has prioritized critical home repairs to help maintain affordable housing stock.
“Critical home repairs are essential to ensuring that our community's affordable housing stock remains safe, healthy, and livable,” Habitat Omaha Area Director Ken Mar said. “By supporting homeowners with necessary repairs, we are not only improving their quality of life but also helping to preserve the integrity of neighborhoods across Sarpy and Cass counties.”
Habitat Omaha offers qualified families or individuals no-interest loans to pay for improvements, even if they don’t own a Habitat Omaha-built home. Qualifications include demonstrating the ability to repay, having homeowners’ insurance upon project completion, and holding a clear title to the property. The financing allows homeowners to spread the expense over one to 10 years to make them affordable.
Habitat Omaha serves as the general contractor, hiring only trusted subcontractors. The program partners with homeowners on various projects, from critical to minor repairs, including furnaces, air conditioning, water heaters, windows and doors, plumbing, electrical systems, tree trimming, and exterior structures, such as siding repair or accessibility updates.
For more information or to apply for the Home Repair Program, visit habitatomaha.org/home-repair.
Editor’s note: Ken Mar, area director for Burt, Cass, Sarpy, and Washington counties, is available for interviews.
About Habitat for Humanity of Omaha
Founded in 1984, Habitat for Humanity of Omaha builds and renovates homes, repairs existing houses, and takes down blighted structures in a five-county area, including Burt, Cass, Douglas, Sarpy, and Washington counties. Habitat also works with individuals and families to acquire the access, skills and financial education to become successful homeowners and, along with Habitat affiliates across the state, advocates for better laws and systems. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitatomaha.org.
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