Inspiring Journey to Home Repair
Meet Mr. Joe Lewis. Like his namesake, the former first black world heavyweight champion, Mr. Lewis, at 84 years old, is a champion in spirit. Living in Monterey, Louisiana, the unincorporated community in Concordia Parish, Mr. Lewis is one of the 439 residents who call Monterey home.
After two trees fell on his already fragile home during Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Mr. Lewis was forced to move out of the house he had lived in his entire life and into a worn-out camper parked outside the front door. Mr. Lewis lived in the camper for the past 19 years but never gave up hope of one day fixing the only house he's ever known.
"I managed to save some of the house after the trees fell during the storm, but it was in bad shape. Really bad shape. I'm a carpenter by trade, but I didn't think parts of the house could be saved." said Mr. Lewis. That was until he learned about Rural Development Louisiana and a connection that would lead to some helping hands.
Rural Development's Support
Mr. Lewis, with help from a church member at Jonesville Church of God, contacted USDA Rural Development. Mr. Lewis would then connect with Brian Lewis (no relation), the Branch Chief of the Office of the Single-Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program.
"I've been at USDA for 35 years, and the feeling of assisting rural families obtain decent, safe, and sanitary housing never gets old for me. The thrill I get from experiencing someone like Brother Joe (what the community calls him) move from a "challenged" housing predicament to a comfortable one fuels my core and motivates me to tackle the next "difficult" situation that lies ahead." said Brian.
Single-family housing Loan Specialist Hope Coody and Loan Technician Brenda Williams also worked closely on Mr. Lewis's application for loan and grant funding approval. "As a Rural Development employee, it's very rewarding. I get to hear about homes being completed and see the outcome of the repairs outside all the paperwork," said Hope.
"When I saw how he lived in such a deplorable situation, it broke my heart. I knew that this could probably pass as a hardship case, and I was excited to be able to help him," said Brenda.
All Hands-on Deck
"They tore everything down to the foundation," said Mr. Lewis. Crooks Brothers Building and Repair, specializing in interior and exterior home renovation remodels, was hired to help Mr. Lewis. Crooks Brothers previously worked on Single Family 504 home repair projects with Rural Development Louisiana. "We removed walls because of termite damage, re-did the floor to joists, re-wired the whole house, and added new rooms. We put on a metal roof and new siding," said Tim Crooks, owner of Crooks Brothers Building and Repair.
"They would always ask me how I wanted things. So, I got to pick the paint and the floors and tell them what I wanted," said Mr. Lewis.
"It's always a good feeling to be able to finish a house. To see the excitement on Brother Joe's face to know he didn't have to sleep in a camper anymore," said Tim.
Leaving a Family Legacy
The home renovations are a milestone of stability and legacy for Mr. Lewis and his family. "I want to leave something for my children. This old home will be here for them even after I'm gone. It wasn't just for me, but for them".
Mr. Lewis was born in the house in January 1940. His family worked and lived on the land and the home for many years prior. He vividly remembers when his father died at the same house in 1966. "Being able to save this house means so much to me. This new house will hopefully bless me and my family to keep it going," said Mr. Lewis.
"I would have loved to have been there and hugged him when he moved back in. This is what the home repair program is all about to me, " Brenda said.
Encouragement from and to Others
It can be challenging, and Mr. Lewis sometimes wanted to give up on the process. When I learned the contractor doesn't get paid until after the job, I changed my mind and said, "Just forget it."
With rallying encouragement from Brian Lewis, who told him not to stop the process, he continued. "I'm glad I didn't give up and listened to Brother Brian. He said he could help, and he did."
"I want to tell people that it's a wonderful program, and I appreciate the outreach you all do to help people like me in the community. If you need help with your home, see if you qualify and go through the process".
Building Stronger Communities
Mr. Joe's story exemplifies how Rural Development's housing repair loans and grants change individual lives and strengthen communities. By helping people stay in their homes, it helps their families and their communities.
Thanks to the support and collaboration from USDA Rural Development, Jonesville Church of God, and the active involvement of the community, Mr. Lewis's home is now safe, secure, and livable. It showcases a testament to the power of determination and the positive impact of bringing people together for the greater good.