Habitat for Humanity begins 'FUN' project to fix up Orlando community

ORLANDO, Fla. — Habitat for Humanity began a project Wednesday to fix up the Washington Shores community in Orlando.

Volunteers with the Fixing up the Neighborhood (F.U.N) project will help paint nearly 30 homes over the course of a month.

The volunteers were hard at work in the heat, helping to make the Washington Shores neighborhood look better one house at a time.

The houses are owned by mostly elderly residents who do not have the ability or income to fix up their homes.

"These are homeowners who have great pride in their homes they just need a little help with the preventative maintenance. So, the painting not only makes the homes pretty, but it also helps to seal them against the elements," said Jennifer Gallagher of Habitat for Humanity.

"We do the face lift, we do the cleanup, and then we try to get them organized which then brings the community together," said Orange County neighborhood coordinator Tabitha Wood.

Volunteers do not have to have painting skills because a short lesson in painting is included  free of charge.

"We really want to make sure that this whole community is impacted - and the affordable housing that already exists here is able to stay," said Wood.

There will be a day of general cleanup in the neighborhood on Aug. 23.

WFTV