News

Brush Up Mac 02/02/10

2010 Brush Up Mac scheduled for April

The McPherson Chamber of Commerce Housing Committee and the McPherson Housing Coalition have partnered for home repair program called “Brush Up Mac”. The home repair program provides McPherson City low income homeowners with free minor home repairs. Applicants must meet guidelines established by the Housing Committee. Brush Up Mac was created to improve the health and safety of residents as they live in their homes. In turn, this helps keep housing safe and improves the comfort and livability of our neighborhoods.

Since 2005, Brush Up Mac has conducted work on a total of 61 homes with nearly 500 volunteers.

The 2010 Brush Up Mac day will be scheduled in April with a kick off breakfast for all the volunteers. “ A new twist will be added to this year’s volunteer breakfast. After discussion between the Housing Committee and the McPherson Housing Coalition, the Brush Up Mac program will be under the direction of the McPherson Housing Coalition after this year. “Since the McPherson Housing Coalition has been in operation for about 2 years now, the Housing Committee does not wish to duplicate efforts of the Coalition and felt that Brush Up Mac falls more under their misson and direction. I am very pleased that MHC is willing to take on the Brush Up Mac program, it is a way for community members to get involved and contribute to helping others. I am proud of the work that the Housing Committee has accomplished over the years and look forward to researching the interests and direction the Housing Committee want to take.” Stated Jennifer Burch, Executive Director of the McPherson Chamber of Commerce. “

The McPherson Housing Coalition serves McPherson County. Their objective are to provide rehabilitation to homes that are currently occupied. To rehabilitate homes that are unlivable and then rent/sell to qualified families. To partner with existing non profits: own, develop and selectively manage affordable single-family housing, multi-family housing, housing for seniors and aother special needs populations. Provide technical support and other resources to other organizations within the MHC service area, with shared objectives and a strategic common ground, to support capacity building and development. Develop low income housing tax credits and Home funds projects including proprietary technology based tools to assist in the configuring, development and management of tax credit and Home projects. Explore, develop and promote other avenues of creative financing and affordable housing development, including real estate investment trusts, cooperative living development, individual development accounts and other financing devices.

MHC mission: is to develop, promote and implement programs which assist persons of low to moderate incomes meet their housing needs.

Homeowner applications will be available at the Chamber office, Senior Center as well as on the Chamber website at www.mcphersonchamber.org. The completed applications will be due back to the Chamber office by February 21, 2010.

The Brush Up Mac groups is in need of supplies such as brushes, white paint, trash bags and funding to purchase supplies that will be needed.

If you have a skill or talent in home repairs and would like to volunteer, please contact the McPherson Chamber of Commerce at 620/241-3303 or stop by to pick up a volunteer form, which are also available at www.mcphersonchamber.org.