Local homes get needed upgrades in nonprofit's renovation marathon

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Local homes get needed upgrades in nonprofit's renovation marathon

By Amy Oakes

UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

April 28, 2006

San Diego Union Tribune

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20060428-9999-

7m28renovate.html

The Frias family's home in San Diego's Emerald Hills needed some

major repairs, the type that would require a lot of time and money.

Mold grew in the walls, forcing the two children to sleep in the

living room for the past several months. Their father, o

Frias, who has been in a wheelchair for 23 years, struggled to

maneuver through the crammed house, especially the bathroom, where

he had broken the door and banged into the walls.

NANCEE E. LEWIS / Union-Tribune

o Frias and his son, o Jr., inspected the remodeled

bathroom at their Emerald Hills home, one of 13 selected from

throughout the county for renovation by Rebuilding Together San

Diego.

For Rebuilding Together San Diego, the home was the perfect

candidate for its annual home renovation marathon, which concludes

tomorrow. " You have your house for a while and there are things you

wanted to do, but things come up, " said Frias, who lost the use of

his legs from injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident.

His was one of 13 homes selected from throughout the county by the

nonprofit organization, which helps seniors, disabled and low-income

homeowners with renovations. The group matches volunteers and

donated supplies with homes in need.

Much of the work has been done and will culminate tomorrow as part

of a nationwide Rebuilding Together Renovation Event Day. Locally,

about 1,000 volunteers will be painting, cleaning and finishing

projects.

" While Habitat (for Humanity) builds, we renovate, " said Pamela

Thorsch, executive director of Rebuilding Together San Diego.

The group, which has been around locally for 11 years, selects

projects based on household income and needed repairs. Recipients'

annual income must fall below 60 percent of the area's median

income, or about $24,150, Thorsch said. Most survive on about

$15,000 a year, she added.

Since 1996, Rebuilding San Diego has completed more than 275

projects, including renovations at schools, women's shelters and a

fire station. The organization values the work at more than $4

million.

The number of homes selected for the annual renovation day depends

on how many service groups and corporations " sponsor " a house by

paying $3,000 for supplies and providing volunteers.

Rebuilding Together received and reviewed 65 applications this year

before choosing the 13 homes and a community center. The

organization also works on other projects throughout the year,

including one at North County's Mountain Shadows, a residential care

facility for the developmentally disabled.

Mountain Shadows partnered with Rebuilding Together earlier this

year to renovate its 18 homes in Escondido and San Marcos.

Residents, of which there are 117, help out if possible.

" It's a long-term commitment, " said Doug Cook, executive director of

the foundation that owns Mountain Shadows. " We have 18 houses in

various stages of need. "

The North Park Community Association has joined the effort for the

first time this year. The group adopted the home of

Laughlin, a longtime community volunteer.

The house on Pershing Avenue was in need of plumbing repairs, new

carpet and other renovations. North Park businesses have provided

everything from pizzas for volunteers to carpet and other supplies

for the home.

" All the businesses are really coming together, " said Tinsky,

a member of the association. " It's really extra special that the

community could give back to her. "

Construction is overseeing the work done at the Frias home, on

Creston Drive.

Work began about two weeks ago, and by tomorrow the only thing left

should be some landscaping, said Mark Granger, a project engineer

for . The major improvements included tearing out a wall and

reworking the plumbing and electrical system to make the bathroom

wheelchair-accessible, and removing the mold and adding insulation

to the walls.

" We've had a lot of vendors who have contributed, " Granger

said. " It's come together real nicely. "

Frias, 42, said he repaired the roof, which leaked water into the

walls, in February. But he didn't know when he would have enough

money to remove the mold.

A friend referred Frias to Rebuilding Together.

" We didn't expect to be picked, " Frias said. " It's worth a lot to

us. "

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Amy Oakes: (619) 498-6633; amy.oakes@...