Posted on November 4, 2026

Home Repair for Veterans

At Fox Cities Habitat for Humanity, we are proud to support those who have served our country. We believe every veteran deserves a safe, stable place to call home, and we are committed to helping make that possible through a variety of housing programs and resources, including:

• Homebuyer program: Makes affordable homeownership possible through a 0% interest mortgage.
• Home Repair program: Helps homeowners complete critical repairs through 0% interest deferred loans and connections to community resources.
• Almost Home program: Provides financial guidance and support to help individuals prepare for future homeownership.

For local veteran Ronald, that support came through Fox Cities Habitat’s Home Repair program, helping him make important repairs to the place he has called home for nearly five decades. 

In 1978, Ronald purchased his home in Shiocton, where he has lived for the past 48 years. Over those decades, the house has been much more than just a place to live. It has been a gathering place for family, filled with memories of his daughter, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Beyond the memories within its walls, Ronald appreciates the close-knit community around him. 

“It’s a small town, and I know a lot of people. There are a lot of good neighbors here,” Ronald shared. “I am very satisfied with the place.” 

For Ronald, there is no place he’d rather call home.

In April 2026, the Shiocton community experienced devastating flooding, unlike anything Ronald had witnessed in his lifetime. As floodwaters rose, Ronald was forced to evacuate, staying with his daughter for nearly a week. When he returned, the street outside was still flooded, and his basement was filled with water. 

“When I opened the basement door and looked down there, it was surprising,” Ronald recalled. 

Fortunately, the water never reached his main living space. With help from his 10-year-old great-grandson, Ronald spent several hours pumping the water out of his basement. 

While Ronald was fortunate that the flooding didn’t cause significant lasting damage, the experience reinforced just how important his home is to him. After nearly five decades of memories within its walls, Ronald wanted to ensure his home remained a safe place to live for years to come. However, with an aging roof and outdated electrical system, there were critical repairs he knew needed attention but couldn’t tackle on his own. 

Making Critical Home Repairs Possible 

His aging roof had begun showing signs of deterioration. Shingles were losing their protection, and some had even blown off. To prevent leaks, Ronald would climb onto his roof with a bucket of roofing tar, patching problem areas himself. But as he got older, those trips onto the roof became increasingly difficult and dangerous. 

“The older I got, the more I didn’t want to climb up there,” Ronald shared. “It was kind of scary for me to climb on top of that house. I was nervous to do it, but I had to.” 

His home’s electrical system was also in need of significant upgrades. The house had once been divided into two separate living spaces, leaving behind outdated wiring and multiple fuse boxes throughout the home. Ronald understood the importance of addressing these problems, but the cost of replacing his roof and updating his electrical system was simply out of reach. 

“Everything is so expensive nowadays. I can’t afford a $25,000 roof, and the wiring is about $10,000.” 

That’s when his daughter stepped in. 

After researching potential resources, she discovered Fox Cities Habitat’s Home Repair Program, which helps eligible homeowners complete critical repairs through a 0% interest deferred loan. She encouraged Ronald to reach out, and together, they connected with Habitat’s team, completed the application process and explored what assistance might be available.

Thanks to funding designated to support local veterans, Habitat was able to make these much-needed improvements possible for Ronald.

“I can’t believe I got a new roof … and all the wiring. I can’t believe it,” he shared. 

Through Fox Cities Habitat’s Home Repair program, Ronald was able to complete two major projects that would help preserve his home and improve its safety for years to come. 

More Than Just Repairs 

The result was more than just an updated roof and electrical system. It meant Ronald could continue living safely and comfortably in the home he loves, without the burden of tackling these major projects on his own. For Ronald, seeing the repairs become a reality was almost hard to believe.

“It was unbelievable to see them get this work done,” he recalled. 

The roofing project took approximately two and a half days to complete, while the electrical work was finished in about three days. Throughout the process, Ronald was especially impressed by the dedication, professionalism, and kindness of the contractors working on his home. 

“Every person that was working here was really friendly,” Ronald shared, adding that whenever he had questions, the contractors were happy to answer them. 

He also expressed his appreciation for Don, a member of Fox Cities Habitat’s Home Repair team, who helped guide him through the process and remained available to answer questions along the way. 

“Don was always around, if I had any questions for him, and he was very, very helpful,” Ronald shared. 

Beyond the physical improvements, the repairs have brought Ronald something just as valuable: peace of mind. 

“I won’t have to climb up on the roof no more,” Ronald explained, ” and I won’t have to worry about the roof leaking or anything. My troubles are over.” 

With his new roof and updated electrical system, Ronald is also expecting to save approximately $400 annually on his homeowners insurance. For someone who had spent years worrying about how he would afford these repairs, that added financial relief makes a meaningful difference. Today, Ronald can enjoy his home without the constant concern of climbing onto the roof to make another patch or worrying about his outdated electrical system. 

Encouraging Other Veterans to Reach Out 

Having served his country and spent a lifetime working and caring for his home, Ronald knows the value of hard work and independence. But his experience with Fox Cities Habitat also reminded him of the importance of reaching out when help is needed. 

When asked what he would tell another veteran who might need home repairs but feels hesitant to ask for assistance, Ronald didn’t hesitate. 

“Don’t hesitate to ask somebody for help. There’s a lot of good people out there who will help you. You’ll be happy you did, and I’m glad I did too.” 

His words serve as an important reminder that no one should have to navigate housing challenges alone. 

At Fox Cities Habitat, we’re honored to serve veterans like Ronald through programs that help make safe, affordable housing possible. Whether it’s purchasing a home, preparing for homeownership or making essential repairs to an existing home, our programs are here to support local individuals and families at different stages of their housing journeys. 

For Ronald, reaching out made all the difference. 

“It’s just a beautiful job you did for me,” he shared. “Everything is just perfect.” 

Are you a veteran in need of housing assistance? 

Fox Cities Habitat encourages veterans to explore our Homebuyer, Home Repair and Almost Home programs to see what opportunities may be available. Learn more about our programs by clicking the buttons below!