Dallas Yates celebrates moving back into his repaired home two months after extensive fire damage.
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NRI Projects
Dallas Yates In the late 1970's, Dallas Yates became the first black deputy sheriff in Indian River County. The popular law enforcement officer is now retired and living in Gifford.
In July 2010, a fire severely damaged his kitchen and surrounding areas and has forced him to move out of his home until repairs can be made.
The extensive clean-up and repair work was accomplished through the Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative. Clean-up was accomplished by a group from St. Peter's Missionary Baptist Church in Gifford - Brew With the Brothers - men who meet together for coffee before church and who strive to "Pay it forward" through various community projects. The repair work was done by a construction team from Habitat.
Below, Mr. Yates prepares to "cut the ribbon" and enjoy his repaired home, along with several of the men who worked on the project.
Victor Hart Long-time community activist and a founder of the local NAACP chapter as well as the Gifford Progressive Civic League and several other organizations, Mr. Hart found himself in need of help to repair flooring and cabinetry in his kitchen area. Through its NRI program, Habitat was able to help.
Rev. Tory When illness struck a Gifford area pastor, he could not continue to work and, confined to a wheelchair, had difficulty getting around inside his home or accessing the outside. Habitat was able to construct and exterior ramp and widen interior doors to assist Rev. and Mrs. Tory in dealing with his disability.
NRI Program Objectives
As a community leader in sustainable and affordable housing, Indian River Habitat for Humanity is pleased to present its newest project, the Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative.
By expanding the scope of our rehabilitation efforts, we will be working with existing homeowners who are unable to complete necessary repairs on their own homes, in an effort to support homeownership and community development among low-income families.This investment in our community aims to make existing homes more affordable and liveable for their resident/owners.
Through the use of volunteer labor and community partnership, we are able to offer the repairs free of charge to qualified homeowners on fixed or very limited incomes. We anticipate increasing our impact in the community by almost 50 percent in the first year of the program alone.
To qualify, applicants must:
1. Have an income below the amount shown in the chart below. (Based on HUD data reflecting 50% of the Indian River County median incomes levels.) 2. Own and occupy the project property 3. Have less than $10,000 in liquid assets
