The inspector alerted England along with fellow employees Jill Meyer and Tim Glisson, who oversees the county Community Housing Impact and Preservation program, or CHIP. The program provides grants for home projects that meet a series of guidelines, including financial, for use of the dollars.
Because of the amount of work that needed done, CHIP dollars needed to be supplemented to get the job done, Glisson said.
Several parties came together to make a more than $60,000 project at Dorothy Rochelle’s home possible.
A contractor was hired. CHIP money was used for some work, and the Miami Valley Community Action Partnership paid for a water heater and some plumbing work. The Open Our Hearts Foundation, of which Meyer is a founder, provided a dumpster, and a church group and Troy football players offered community service help. Other aid came from Dick Steinman and helpers from his men’s shelter, plus help from neighbor Hobart/ITW.
“I asked my inspectors if they would join me in a project to give back to our community and help rewire the entire home for free,” England said. “Almost all inspectors participated, and the only reason some did not was due to events that were already scheduled on the day of the rough wiring.”
The work was done after hours and on weekends.
The project included demolition of the interior to the bare studs. The house was rewired and new plumbing was installed. The house was fitted with a new furnace/air conditioning, and it received new insulation, drywall, cabinets, flooring, electrical devices and light fixtures.
Rochelle said the house was built in 1916 and bought by her family in 1918. She was born in 1931, graduated from Troy High School and worked at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base until retiring. She was staying at a local shelter while the work was done. Glisson said it is nearly complete.
“They are doing a beautiful job,” Rochelle said. “It is a wonderful thing. People came in and continue to help out.”
England said the project is community at work.
“This is a perfect example of local government and volunteers working together to help those in our community who do not have the means to help themselves. My inspectors never hesitated when asked to help out. I am truly blessed to have them as part of our department,” he said.
Contact this contributing writer at nancykburr@aol.com.
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