ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — As hurricane season gets underway, Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County is encouraging homeowners to prepare now instead of waiting until a storm is in the forecast.
The nonprofit will host a free roof replacement and hurricane preparedness information session Monday, June 29, at the Holden Heights Community Center. The event will give homeowners the opportunity to learn about Habitat for Humanity’s free roof replacement program for qualifying Orange County homeowners, ask questions about eligibility, receive help with the pre-application process, and pick up tips to make their homes more storm-ready.
For Pine Hills homeowner Marie Conyers Spence, the program came at the right time.
After living in her home for nearly 30 years, she said a hurricane damaged her roof, leaving missing shingles and leaks inside her bedroom. Her insurance only covered part of the damage, leaving her unsure of what to do next.
“I saw Habitat, applied for Habitat, and I was approved. I’m so happy,” Conyers Spence said.
She said replacing the roof on her own wasn’t financially possible. Now, with hurricane season underway, she says having a new roof has eased one of her biggest worries.
“I would have been worried, anxiety, and stressed… all of the above,” Conyers Spence said when asked where she would be without the program.
Habitat officials say homeowners do not have to be Habitat homeowners to qualify for the program. However, applicants must meet additional eligibility requirements based on the condition and age of the roof.
“You do have to be an Orange County homeowner. Homestead exemption has to be included in your home or already applied for. And if not, we can show you how to do that,” said Liz Alicea-Madera, chief program officer for Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County.
The roof replacement program is offered in partnership with Orange County Government to help improve the safety and resiliency of homes before severe weather strikes.
Since 2019, Habitat and Orange County have replaced more than 180 roofs through the program. The organization hopes to replace about 100 more this year.
Alicea-Madera said that’s why Monday’s information session is focused on helping homeowners prepare before a storm is approaching.
“With hurricane season upon us right now, we want to be proactive and not reactive. We don’t know when the hurricanes come, so being prepared is important,” she said.
During the event, attendees will also have the chance to meet Habitat staff, ask questions one-on-one, and enter a raffle to win a disaster preparedness kit. Staff will be available in both English and Spanish to assist homeowners.
The free information session begins at 6 p.m. Monday at the Holden Heights Community Center. Registration is encouraged, but homeowners can also apply for the roof replacement program online if they are ready to get started.