Crew members work to sheath a roof as part of the Home Repair Service Program Friday morning in Brier. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Crew members work to sheath a roof as part of the Home Repair Service Program Friday morning in Brier. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Habitat for Humanity program helps Brier homeowners stay put

The nonprofit’s Home Repair Service program gave a senior couple a new roof — and hope.

BRIER — Dee Grayson, 77, has lived in her home for more than 30 years.

Her family lovingly named their house “Brier Rose,” after Grayson’s daughter convinced them to paint it pink.

“I thought, ‘That is the easiest dream I can ever fulfill for her,’” Grayson said.

In the past few years, however, the Graysons have struggled to repair their home. Dee Grayson suffered a traumatic brain injury after a driver hit her from behind.

Dee’s husband William Grayson, 79, a veteran, had back surgery that ultimately left him paralyzed. The couple’s money and attention went toward medical bills and buying a trailer that was more accessible for William than their large, two-story house.

The Graysons’ daughter, who saw the gutter falling off her parents’ home, found the Home Repair Service program, offered through Habitat for Humanity of Snohomish County. She helped them apply. Originally, the Graysons wanted help repainting the house and repairing their gutter.

Now, the program is helping them with a much larger project: replacing their roof.

“I was sort of waiting for the other shoe to drop or for someone to call and say, ‘We made a mistake,’” Dee Grayson said. “It was so unbelievable that they would help with such a huge thing. If they didn’t, we couldn’t live here.”

A crew member carries plywood to sheath a roof as of the Home Repair Service Program Friday morning in Brier. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

A crew member carries plywood to sheath a roof as of the Home Repair Service Program Friday morning in Brier. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

The nonprofit’s Home Repair Service program is new to Snohomish County. It started locally in fall 2020 and has since repaired nearly 20 houses. It aims to help homeowners remain in their homes.

“We can only build so many homes per year,” Executive Director Steven Li said. “All these people were falling into housing instability, housing insecurity, or even homelessness. We needed to do something to keep people inside their homes — especially as COVID hit.”

The program offers a list of services that range from painting the exterior of a home to accessibility additions, like wheelchair ramps. Construction Manager Chris Anderson said some projects are completely done by volunteer builders. The nonprofit relies on professionals to complete more complicated jobs, like the Grayson’s roof replacement.

The program requires Snohomish County homeowners to live in the home that needs repairs. The household income must be less than 60% of the area median income. The dollar amount for this qualification changes based on how many people live in the house. For example, a single-person household cannot earn more than $50,025. A household with four people cannot earn more than $71,438.

Anderson said it was clear the Graysons needed a new roof when he assessed the site in October. Dee Grayson had no idea her roof was leaking until Anderson told her. Even if she had known, Dee Grayson said, she and her husband couldn’t afford to fix it.

A local roofing company works to replace a deteriorating cedar-shingle roof as of the Home Repair Service Program Friday morning in Brier. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

A local roofing company works to replace a deteriorating cedar-shingle roof as of the Home Repair Service Program Friday morning in Brier. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

“It was a miracle for us,” Dee Grayson said. “I mean, how did that happen? He just came out, assessed everything and said, ‘We’re going to do this for you and the community is going to help me.’”

Axis Roof and Gutter Inc., an Arlington-based contractor, donated labor for the project. GAF, a roofing manufacturer, donated the materials.

“While this project is not as volunteer-friendly, we have a lot of projects that are more accessible,” Li said. “We are only able to accomplish as much as the community is willing to get engaged.”

Li expects construction to last about a week. Gathering resources and lining up partnerships takes more time, Li said. The Graysons contacted Habitat for Humanity about repairs last fall.

In some cases, homeowners could wait up to a year for repairs through the program. Li said the nonprofit is working on completing projects faster.

For the Graysons, their roof replacement means they can keep living in their home.

“We’re eternally grateful for them for stepping up and lending us more than a hand,” Dee Grayson said.

An earlier version of this story incorrectly spelled Steven Li’s name.

Katie Hayes: katie.hayes@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @misskatiehayes.

Katie Hayes is a Report for America corps member and writes about issues that affect the working class for The Daily Herald.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

South County Fire plans push-in ceremony for newest fire engine

Anybody who attends will have the opportunity to help push the engine into the station.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Traffic slows as it moves around the bend of northbound I-5 through north Everett on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Paving project will close I-5 lanes in Everett

Crews will close up to 4 lanes overnight for weeks to complete the $8.1 million repairs.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Snohomish man, who trained extremists, sentenced for illegal gun possession

An FBI investigation revealed Benton posted violent extremist content, neo-Nazi propaganda, and anti-Semitic materials on social media.

‘Voter friendly’ election ballots set to go out for Snohomish County voters

Materials will include some changes to make the process easier to vote in Aug. 5 primary.

Kathy Johnson walks over a tree that has been unsuccessfully chainsawed along a CERCLA road n the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest on Thursday, July 10, 2025 in Granite Falls, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
How Roadless Rule repeal could affect forests like Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie

The Trump administration plans to roll back a 2001 rule protecting over 58 million acres of national forest, including areas in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie area.

Edmonds police officers investigate a shooting that occurred at 236/Edmonds Way Thursday in Edmonds, Washington. (Edmonds Police Department).
Jury convicts Edmonds man in fatal shooting of rideshare driver

After three hours, a 12-person jury convicted Alex Waggoner, 22, of second-degree murder for shooting Abdulkadir Shariif, 31, in January 2024.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.