Sun City Community Assistance Network office

10195 W. Coggins Drive
Sun City, AZ

Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona

9133 W. Grand Ave.
Peoria, AZ

By Rusty Bradshaw
Twitter: @SunCitiesEditor

Sun City Community Assistance Network and Habitat for Humanity officials teamed up to form a new program for low-income residents.

Some Sun City residents are not able physically or financially to care for their properties. Area agencies provide programs that help. For example, the Sun City Home Owners Association has its Residents Assistance and Maintenance Program that, using volunteer help and donated supplies and services, cleans up properties of residents who are unable to do so. The new CAN and Habitat program will now provide a new coat of exterior paint.

Sun City CAN officials are screening applicants and providing the funding while Habitat for Humanity is providing estimates, onsite evaluation and the actual painting.

“Over the past few years, we have encountered people, usually widows, who just do not have the money to repaint their house on a regular basis,” said Hugh Duncan, Sun City CAN board president. “These houses eventually fall into disrepair and  become an eyesore, which detracts from the neighborhood.”

The new program is called “Paint the Town,” he added.

“It will not only benefit the low-income property owners but will improve the appearance of the neighborhood and the resale value of adjacent properties,” Mr. Duncan said.

Habitat officials are excited about the partnership with CAN.

“Many Arizonans face economic insecurity as they age, and housing is generally the highest expense,” said Lisa Weide, Habitat’s chief program officer. “When housing costs consume a large portion of their budgets, they might sacrifice other necessities, like medicine or even food. That’s why Habitat’s ‘Aging in Place’ services, even as simple as a paint job, can mean a lot.”

The team already painted its first house.

“It had not been painted for 36 years!,” Mr. Duncan said. “The property owner was most grateful and wrote, ‘I want to thank CAN and Habitat for Humanity and everyone involved in getting my house painted. I am delighted with it. I am so grateful to all of you.’”

To be eligible for “Paint the Town,” property owners must be a Sun City resident and live in the home in need of painting, be below 150% of the federal poverty level ($1,562 per month for singles or $2,113 per month for two person households)

and have less than $13,300 in savings.

Not everyone meeting the above criteria will be selected, according to Mr. Duncan. Priority will be given to those with the greatest financial need and the houses most in need of paint, he added.

Property owners who want to apply can call CAN at 623-933-7530.

Donations for the program will also be accepted. Send donations to Sun City CAN, 10195 W. Coggins Drive, Sun City, AZ 85351.

“I hope that Sun City residents will recognize the value of this program and donate generously.” said Mr. Duncan.  “Donations from RCSC Clubs, churches and other organizations are welcomed and appreciated.”