Habitat for Humanity and Rebuilding Together WR – Joining forces to help save homes one family at a time

Two Houston County non-profits teamed up to help a Warner Robins woman whose home was in desperate need of repairs.

Habitat for Humanity and Rebuilding Together Warner Robins joined forces to help Deborah Williams, who says her home was in bad shape before they came along.

Williams, a long time Warner Robins resident, is both blind and deaf and lives all by her self. According to Habitat executive director Bill Goggin, Williams first crossed path with the organization in 1995, when Habitat volunteers built the house she now lives in and owns.

“We built the home in 95, issued a zero interest mortgage to Ms. Williams [and] she since paid off the home,” said Goggin.

Years later, she needed assistance once again as her home began deteriorating. The home needed multiple repairs including the installation of a new HVAC system, replacement side rails on the front steps, storm door installations and more.

Habitat was made aware of Williams’ living situation and quickly got to work on improvements. Running low on funds, the organization contacted Rebuilding Together for support. “They came in right behind us,” Goggin said. “It’s just a great cooperative effort of two non-profits in the community getting together and really taking care of Ms. Williams and having a great outcome.” In total, the project cost both parties $6,500 to complete.

The organizations both made sure to revamp the home to better meet Williams’ needs and tailored the improvements to her disabilities. “I am completely satisfied,” said Williams. “I have air; I have storm doors, which I’ve been wanting ever since I moved here.”

Williams moved to Warner Robins 47 years ago with her three sons. She says it was a friend who referred her to Habitat for Humanity to have a house built for her family. Later, she was connected to Rebuilding Together through Habitat.

She thanked God for the two entities and expressed further gratitude for each and every volunteer that dedicated their time to ensure her comfort and safety.