Each winter, Charles, a Vietnam veteran, would line the edges of the wooden windows in the living room of his Bellevue home with plastic and sealant to prevent snow from coming in.

That changed, however, when he learned about Habitat for Humanity of Omaha’s Home Repair Program. In addition to new windows, this past summer, the Habitat Omaha team replaced the shower surround, toilet, vanity, and sink in an upstairs bathroom, and resealed a walk-in shower in the basement of his nearly 70-year-old home. They also cut down two large trees in the yard.

“I am truly, truly grateful,” said Charles, who served as a U.S. Air Force helicopter mechanic in the Vietnam War, Operation Just Cause in Panama and Operation Desert Shield in the Gulf War. “I never expected all of this.”

Charles and his wife, Yen, bought the home in 2005 to be closer to their granddaughter. Sadly, his wife of 47 years passed away in 2020.

Habitat Omaha offers qualified families or individuals no-interest loans to pay for improvements, even if they don’t own a Habitat Omaha-built home. Qualifications include demonstrating the ability to repay, having homeowners’ insurance upon project completion, and holding a clear title to the property. The financing allows homeowners to spread the expense over one to 10 years to make them affordable.

Habitat Omaha serves as the general contractor, hiring only trusted subcontractors. The program partners with homeowners on various projects, from critical to minor repairs, including furnaces, air conditioning, water heaters, windows and doors, plumbing, electrical systems, tree trimming, and exterior structures, such as siding repair or accessibility updates.

In Charles’ case, Habitat Omaha was able to secure a grant to help him pay for the repairs. Since his repairs have been completed, Charles has recommended Habitat Omaha’s Home Repair Program to four of his neighbors for the quality and simplicity. His home was one of 21 that Habitat Omaha completed repairs on in 2024.

“It’s just so easy to do,” he said.

For more information on the Home Repair Program, visit habitatomaha.org/home-repair.