CLERMONT, Fla – A Lake County U.S. Army veteran is receiving a home makeover as part of a project designed to help veterans in need.
On Tuesday, work began to replace the roof of Michael Austine’s home in Clermont.
Austine has lived in the home since 2010 and said the roof was in good shape until the last few years, when it started leaking and got worse.
“It was a mess. The other side of the roof was leaking into one of the bedrooms, and eventually the sheetrock collapsed from being wet,” Austine said.
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Austine applied and was accepted into Habitat for Humanity’s home repair program, which coordinated with Janney Roofing, as part of the Owens Corning Roof Deployment Project.
“We’re just honored to be part of this and to be chosen to serve and give back to the community,” Janney Roofing President Jereme Cadorette said. “It’s super important to us as a company and our employees, and especially when you’re talking about a veteran.”
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According to Owens Corning, nearly 700 veterans have benefited from the Roof Deployment project since 2016.
The plan for Austine’s home included a new roof, remodeled kitchen, new flooring, and window replacements.
“I keep trying to imagine how it’s going to look when it’s done, and I don’t believe it,” Austine said. “Now I have a place where everybody can hang out, come over for dinner, barbecue, and stuff like that.”
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The roof replacement is expected to be finished by Wednesday, and work on the interior of the home should be completed before the end of the month.
For details about the Owens Corning Roof Deployment Project, click here.