Volunteers with Habitat for Humanity Quad Cities will converge this weekend on a central Davenport neighborhood to Rock the Block and tackle a number of home repairs and beautification projects.
From 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, June 21, approximately 45 volunteers from John Deere and the Quad Cities community will hone in on Davenport’s 17th Street between Gaines and Ripley streets. They are tasked to make improvements at eight individual homes. Projects range from porch and fence repairs to landscaping, minor repairs and trash removal, Cassandra Erwin, Habitat’s development director, told the QCBJ.
Rock the Block is part of Habitat’s Central City Repair Program which serves low-income residents who are defined as those at or below the 80% Area Median Income per the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
According to Habitat, Central City Repair Program projects can range from exterior repairs (such as porches), critical home repairs (minor electrical or plumbing), weatherization, life safety improvements such as smoke alarms and fire extinguishers, as well as accessibility items such as ramps and grab bars.
“For each resident the impact can be monumental,” Ms. Erwin said. “A repaired storm door can mean a fresh breeze, a repaired fence can mean the opportunity to get a family pet, and replaced steps can mean improved mobility and independence.”
Habitat’s central city service area is bordered by West Locust Street to the north, Fourth Street to the south, Harrison Street to the east, and Division Street to the west. For this Rock the Block event, Habitat is focusing on the northeast quadrant.
New home coming
Ms. Erwin said this area was selected because Habitat also has plans for a new Habitat home build on 17th Street later this year.
Rock the Block has evolved into an annual event for Habitat moving to a different block each year, she said. Last year, it helped 13 central city residents improve their homes. The organization also has been involved in projects in Moline’s Floreciente neighborhood.
Rock the Block event is funded through a $1 million, four-year grant from the John Deere Foundation.
Volunteers still are welcome to join Saturday’s workday and are encouraged to pre-register here.
Area residents who meet eligibility criteria can apply for the ongoing Central City Repair Program in person at Habitat’s office at 3625 Mississippi Ave., Davenport. Or they can call (563) 359-9066. For more information about this and Habitat’s other two programs, visit www.habitatqc.org.
