HomeMy WebLinkAboutEmail - Habitat for HumanityHabitat
1 for Humanity'
of Orange County
4/20/2026
Building Dreams of Homeownership
Mayor and Members of the Tustin City Council
Tustin City Council
Tustin
Subject: Continued Need for the Tustin Residential Rehabilitation Program
Dear Mayor and Council Members,
On behalf of Habitat for Humanity of Orange County, I would like to share an update regarding
the Tustin Residential Rehabilitation Program and the significant need we are seeing within the
community.
The program continues to provide meaningful assistance to Tustin homeowners who are in
need of critical home repairs and preservation services. During the last program year, we
successfully completed repairs for 10 households, helping residents remain safely and securely
in their homes while preserving existing housing stock within the city.
Examples of repairs completed through the program include flooring replacement to remove
trip and fall hazards, installation of stair handrails to make climbing stairs safer, asbestos and
lead remediation to eliminate potential health hazards, window replacement to improve energy
efficiency and help lower utility costs, installation of carbon monoxide and smoke detectors to
warn residents of fire and carbon monoxide dangers, grab bars to improve bathroom safety and
reduce the risk of slips and falls, and roof repairs or replacement to eliminate leaks and prevent
further property damage.
Demand for the current program year has remained strong. At present, we have:
• 3 projects currently being estimated
• 5 projects ready for estimation
2 additional applicants with completed applications currently in qualification review
These 10 households will likely represent the maximum number of families we can serve with
this year's available funding.
In addition, we currently have:
2200 Ritchey Street, Santa Ana, CA 92705 • (714) 434-6200 9 www.HabitatOC.org
Habitat
1 for Humanity'
of Orange County
Building Dreams of Homeownership
• 2 more completed applications submitted, though it is unlikely we will be able to assist
them during this program year
13 additional homeowners who have inquired about the program and have already
been provided applications
These numbers clearly demonstrate that the need for residential rehabilitation assistance in
Tustin remains substantial. Many residents are facing deferred maintenance, safety concerns,
accessibility needs, and repair costs that can be difficult to manage on fixed or limited incomes.
Applicants who cannot be accommodated through this year's funding will be offered the
opportunity to apply for our CalHome loan program, which provides 0% interest financing with
no monthly payments required until maturity at 30 years or transfer of title. For eligible mobile
home owners, these loans may also be forgivable. Those who choose not to apply for the
CalHome program placement at the top of the waiting list for future program funding.
The continued success and demand for this program highlights the importance of investing in
existing homeowners and preserving affordable housing opportunities already present within
the community. We appreciate the City Council's support and consideration of programs that
allow longtime residents to remain safely in their homes.
Thank you for your time and continued commitment to the residents of Tustin.
Sincerely,
N�
Michael Speck
Director of Home Preservation
Habitat for Humanity of Orange County
2200 Ritchey Street, Santa Ana, CA 92705 • (714) 434-6200 9 www.HabitatOC.org