Summer is here, which means this year’s Heart of Iowa Habitat for Humanity projects are starting soon.

Associate Director Jeff Lamoureux says there are two confirmed projects slated for their Helping Hands projects. The first project is at 100 West Vest Street, which consists of replacing a roof. Lamoureux points out that roofs are starting to be a commonplace project for the Helping Hands volunteers.

“Roof starts leaking and (call) the contractor and it can be expensive and they don’t know where to turn. Well they look towards Habitat and we get our volunteers up there to tear off a roof and replace it for them and that’s what we’re going to do. It’s a smaller home but it’s a big project for our volunteers and hopefully makes a big impact for the homeowners.”

The second home is 107 North Olive Street. Lamoureux says Habitat volunteers will help paint the exterior and build a small ramp for handicap accessibility. This is the second time in two years that Helping Hands is building an exterior ramp to a home. Lamoureux believes that those kinds of projects are starting to increase.

“That’s what we see happening. Homeowners get to a point where accessibility becomes an issue for whatever reason. They need that completed to their home and finding the funds to do that, the tools, the know-how (and) the manpower. That’s something that Habitat can provide that a homeowner needs to accomplish that.”

Lamoureux adds that they are working to confirm two more homes that need exterior work done to them for the year.