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The Coastal Buzz
Out and about in Brunswick county
JANUARY 2022
WARM Keeps Seniors in Their Homes By Pat Naughton
T
he Wilmington Area Rebuilding Ministry (WARM) has been taking action to address substandard housing since 1996, when volunteers from across the region came together to assist homeowners after hurricanes Bertha and Fran. What they learned is that much of the damage predated the storms and the homeowners just didn’t have the resources for costly repairs. This put the homeowners at risk for home accidents, fires, and displacement due to the condition of their home. Now, WARM brings together volunteers and sponsors to make urgent repairs and accessibility upgrades for low-income homeowners in Brunswick, Duplin, New Hanover, Onslow, and Pender Counties.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Southport donates to Wilmington Area Rebuilding Ministry (WARM), and this Sacred Heart crew repaired flooring and put up a hand railing on the steps. The rebuild was funded by First Ci zens Bank.
Homeowner Dr. Daniel Ruth has lunch every day at the Brunswick Center at Southport. Here he shows the herb plants that the Sacred Heart youth faith forma on group made for him.
Homeowners
independence.
Waiting for Help
WARM has been very active in Brunswick County. They completed nearly 50 rebuilds in the county in 2021 and there are still close to 30 homeowners in the county on WARM’s waiting list.
Many of the homeowners served are elderly or people with disabilities. To qualify for services, the home must be owner-occupied, and the total household income must fall at or below 50 percent of the county’s median income. A home assessment is conducted to identify risks to safety, health, and
Disasters disproportionately impact the poor since homes in disrepair suffer more damage. As the area continues to recover from
