After more than 30 years of wear and tear, the streets and 74 carport driveways in the House of Refuge neighborhood in Mesa are being removed and replaced with new asphalt and concrete to ensure the safety and well-being of the families who call it home.

What was once a patchwork of temporary fixes has become a pressing safety concern — especially for the children who live and play on these streets. Thanks to the dedication of community-minded businesses, that is about to change, according to a release.

Under the leadership of Richard Candelaria of Sharp Creek Contracting and House of Refuge Board Member Brian Heath of SRP, over 30 local companies have joined forces to pave all the streets and driveways throughout the neighborhood. This collaborative effort marks a major milestone in House of Refuge’s ongoing neighborhood beautification initiative.

“For the past four years, we’ve worked with partners to revitalize our campus — repainting all 88 homes inside and out—to ensure families feel treated with dignity and respect,” Kayla Kolar, CEO and president of House of Refuge said in the release. “Now, we’re taking the next step in creating a safe, welcoming environment by completely redoing our roadways.”

To celebrate the transformation, House of Refuge invites members of the public to a road reopening celebration at 6909 E. Ursula Ave. at 8 a.m. Wednesday, May 14.

“Join us as we express our gratitude to our partners and mark this exciting new chapter for the families we serve,” the release states. “This remarkable collaboration is more than just a construction project — it’s a testament to what’s possible when community and industry come together for a common purpose: supporting families on their path to stability and self-sufficiency.”

Located on 20 acres in southeast Mesa on a portion of the former Williams Air Force Base, House of Refuge is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provides transitional housing for families experiencing homelessness. Skilled case management and crucial wrap-around supportive services assist residents as they work to achieve self-sufficiency and obtain stable housing. Go to https://houseofrefuge.org.