For more than 50 years, Trudie has called Southwest Portland home. She moved here in January 1970 after immigrating from Rotterdam, Holland. Over the decades, Trudie built a life and memories filled with family and friends. Her home is where her grandchildren play with salamanders in the backyard down by the creek. It’s where she enjoys quiet mornings with her best friend, Gus, a green and yellow cockatiel who is always by her side. During the evenings, Trudie sits on the back deck listening to owls and watching deer in the yard.
“I would like to stay here as long as possible,” Trudie said. “If it’s up to me, I really stay here the rest of my life.”
Trudie’s ability to remain in the home she loves became uncertain when her roof began to fail. At first, the leaks were small and could be patched easily. Over time, the damage worsened. Then one night, after returning home from visiting family, Trudie walked into her bedroom. She turned a corner and discovered rain pouring down onto her bed.
“I came in the room and noticed that the bed was soaking wet,” she said. “I had to clean it all up. I had to strip the bed and everything. I had to sleep in the spare bedroom.”
The leaking roof was only part of the problem. When contractors began working, they discovered multiple layers of old roofing materials and substantial rot underneath. What first appeared to be just shingle repair became a full roof replacement. Habitat needed to install all new roof sheathing and flashing and replace all the rotted carpentry. In addition, our home repair team connected Trudie with another company who replaced her gutters.
“When I came out to do a home visit, it was pretty clear the roof was in really poor condition,” said Anthony Grimaldi, Habitat for Humanity Portland Region’s Home Repair Manager. “There was some visible damage and leaking occurring…we needed to prioritize the roof replacement at this house.”
Like many seniors living on a fixed income, Trudie could not afford the cost of a major roof repair on her own. Estimates were far beyond her budget, and the leaks were only getting worse. That’s when a friend encouraged her to contact Habitat for Humanity Portland Region’s Home Repair program.
Habitat’s Home Repair program helps income-qualified homeowners address critical health and safety issues so they can remain safely in the homes they already own. For Trudie, that meant getting the urgent roof repairs that she needed. Within months of applying, Trudie had a safe, secure roof over her head again.
“I feel a lot safer now,” she said. “I’m really, really thankful for Habitat.”
For Anthony, stories like Trudie’s are why he continues to feel connected to the mission of Habitat for Humanity.
“It’s one of the best parts of my job to work with homeowners and ultimately see them happy, less anxious, and feeling good about the work we did.”
Today, Trudie can once again enjoy her home and find peace in knowing that she no longer has to worry about leaks when the rain comes. Thanks to Habitat’s Home Repair program, she can continue living independently in the place she values most.
In case you missed it, hear from Trudie herself.
