A New Roof, A Stable Future: How The Owner-Occupied Repair Program Helped Nick Stay in His Home
A home is more than just a place to live, it’s a foundation for family, community, and lifelong memories. But when unexpected challenges arise, that foundation can feel unsteady. This was the case for Nick, a longtime Yuba-Sutter resident who found himself facing a failing roof with no way to fix it. As a dedicated dog rescuer and homeowner on a fixed income, he knew his options were limited. That’s when he heard about the Yuba County Owner-Occupied Repair Program, administered by Habitat for Humanity Yuba/Sutter and made possible with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds.
Nick has lived in his Marysville home since 2001, when he and his family moved to the area in search of affordable housing. Over the years, his home has not only been a place to raise his two sons, but also a refuge for dozens of rescue dogs. “I run a dog rescue. I rescue Alaskan Malamutes, and sometimes huskies and crosses between the two,” Nick shared. Since 2017 his non-profit organization, Malamute Rescue and Rehabilitation of Northern California, has rehomed 82 dogs, with several still in his care.
But while Nick focused on rescuing animals, his home’s condition was becoming an urgent issue. “In April of 2001, when we bought the house, they put a third layer on the roof,” he explained. “Last winter, maybe the winter before last, I started noticing leaks… I had to put a five-gallon bucket up there to catch water in one spot.” With each rainfall, the damage worsened, and Nick knew a new roof was essential. However, as a homeowner on a fixed income, the cost was out of reach.
“My options were pretty limited,” Nick shared. “They were, you know, beg, steal, and borrow 15 grand to get the stuff and get a bunch of old guys up there and try and do it ourselves, which didn’t seem smart because you want your roof done properly. Or sell the house and move into my truck.” The situation was dire, without help, he could lose his home.
That’s when he overheard a conversation that changed everything. “I was somewhere, and I don’t remember where, but I heard somebody talking about a roof or home repairs. And then somebody else said, ‘Oh, Habitat for Humanity.’” The very next day, Nick went to the Habitat Yuba/Sutter office to learn more about the Yuba County Owner-Occupied Repair Program. “I said, ‘Somebody said, I heard there’s a rumor going around,’ and a really nice lady down there said, ‘Okay, let’s sit down and have a conversation.’” Habitat staff walked Nick through th
e application process, and he quickly submitted all required documents. “I guess I was the first one to get my paperwork turned in.”
Despite some delays with contractor approvals, the roof replacement process was a success. “Literally, I cannot say enough that I heard a rumor, and I went into Habitat for Humanity, and they just kept walking me through the process. And as long as I kept doing the next right thing, taking the next step, it worked out really well.”
The installation of his new roof went smoothly, and only took one work day. “They showed up at like 8:30 in the morning. I saw a truck pull up, and I came outside and said, ‘Excuse me, do you guys need help finding an address?’ And they said, ‘No, no, we’re here for the roof.’ And I thought, ooh,” he laughed. “By 9:30, there were 8 or 9 guys on my roof stripping the roof. And by 5:30 in the evening, they were packing everything up and cleaning up and leaving. In one day! It was really cool.”
Now, with a sturdy roof overhead, Nick can focus on what matters most, caring for his rescue dogs and maintaining his home for future generations. “Owning a house is everything,” he reflected. “Being able to stay in this, if I wasn’t able to stay here, I’d probably end up living in my truck or buying an RV and being one of the homeless legion.” For Nick, homeownership is more than security, it’s a legacy he hopes to pass down to his sons. “When I die, I’ll be able to leave this house to my kids. And then that’s kind of like, I think, the best. I think that’s part of the way that we establish wealth.”
Beyond his own experience, Nick sees the broader impact of Habitat for Humanity. “Because Habitat for Humanity does what it does, an old lady is going to be able to stay in her house because she’s not going to fall through her rotten floor. A young couple who couldn’t quite manage to get their feet under them don’t have to worry about Yuba County Sheriff knocking on their car window and taking their children.” He believes Habitat provides something rare: real, palpable change. “It’s a big deal what Habitat for Humanity does. And it’s not a lot of smoke and mirrors. They tangibly make people’s lives better in real, tangible ways right now, not two years from now, but today. And I think that’s powerful.”
Thanks to the Yuba County Owner-Occupied Repair Program and CDBG funding, administered in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Yuba/Sutter, Nick no longer has to worry about his home falling apart around him. Instead, he can continue his rescue work, care for his dogs, and plan for the future.
Habitat for Humanity Yuba/Sutter is grateful to Yuba County for their partnership and the use of CDBG funds, which enable us to provide these critical repairs and help homeowners like Nick stay safe in their homes. His story is just one of many that show how this program is making a lasting impact on families in need—one repair at a time.
