Orlando family transforms home with state-funded rehabilitation program

A statewide program that funnels home rehabilitation funding through Florida cities and counties has helped an Orlando family renovate their home into a comfortable and accessible space for their future.Juliette Harrell welcomed WESH 2 News into her home to showcase the newly completed renovations, following months of work by various contractors arranged through the City of Orlando.The Harrell home now features beautiful new tile floors, accessible bathrooms for her oldest son with special needs, and new insulated, storm-resistant windows.Juliette Harrell said, “So they did the floors in the kitchen, and they fixed the plumbing for our sink. I’m so excited about that. No more water backing, right? The water works again. Yes, I can turn on the water, and it’s not going to back up anymore. The plumbing and the electrical, they did the electrical in the kitchen.”Previously, the home was in dire need of repair, with mold creeping through the house, cracked floors posing tripping hazards, and almost unusable bathrooms.Now, Harrell has what she hopes will be her forever home.”This is the house that I’m looking forward to being in for the next 10 years,” Harrell said. “I’m so thankful for the rehab team, and they really did make sure that we had the best quality appliances, best quality floors.”The renovations extended beyond the interior, with the exterior freshly painted, the roof replaced, and windows caulked to improve insulation.Unable to afford the work, Harrell and her family applied for funding through Orlando’s housing rehab program, which provides money based on income eligibility guidelines. Juliette received $96,054, though amounts can vary.The rehab program utilizes funds from the State Housing Initiatives Partnership, or SHIP. Orlando received $3 million and provides a maximum of $100,000 per home.So far, 35 homeowners have benefited from the program. Homeowners receiving funds above $20,000 are required to live in their houses for at least 10 years.Harrell said she and her family plan to stay much longer, and regarding the housing program, she said, “If you’re on the fence about doing the rehab program, I’m here to tell you yes, do it! Be patient, and it’ll all pay off in the end.”Orlando and other cities and counties still have housing rehab funding available, and information to guide applicants through the process can be found online.

ORLANDO, Fla. —

A statewide program that funnels home rehabilitation funding through Florida cities and counties has helped an Orlando family renovate their home into a comfortable and accessible space for their future.

Juliette Harrell welcomed WESH 2 News into her home to showcase the newly completed renovations, following months of work by various contractors arranged through the City of Orlando.

The Harrell home now features beautiful new tile floors, accessible bathrooms for her oldest son with special needs, and new insulated, storm-resistant windows.

Juliette Harrell said, “So they did the floors in the kitchen, and they fixed the plumbing for our sink. I’m so excited about that. No more water backing, right? The water works again. Yes, I can turn on the water, and it’s not going to back up anymore. The plumbing and the electrical, they did the electrical in the kitchen.”

Previously, the home was in dire need of repair, with mold creeping through the house, cracked floors posing tripping hazards, and almost unusable bathrooms.

Now, Harrell has what she hopes will be her forever home.

“This is the house that I’m looking forward to being in for the next 10 years,” Harrell said. “I’m so thankful for the rehab team, and they really did make sure that we had the best quality appliances, best quality floors.”

The renovations extended beyond the interior, with the exterior freshly painted, the roof replaced, and windows caulked to improve insulation.

Unable to afford the work, Harrell and her family applied for funding through Orlando’s housing rehab program, which provides money based on income eligibility guidelines. Juliette received $96,054, though amounts can vary.

The rehab program utilizes funds from the State Housing Initiatives Partnership, or SHIP. Orlando received $3 million and provides a maximum of $100,000 per home.

So far, 35 homeowners have benefited from the program. Homeowners receiving funds above $20,000 are required to live in their houses for at least 10 years.

Harrell said she and her family plan to stay much longer, and regarding the housing program, she said, “If you’re on the fence about doing the rehab program, I’m here to tell you yes, do it! Be patient, and it’ll all pay off in the end.”

Orlando and other cities and counties still have housing rehab funding available, and information to guide applicants through the process can be found online.