Habitat for Humanity's Rock the Block is coming to De Pere in the fall of 2024, March 20, 2025. PC: Fox 11 Online
DE PERE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — For the first time, Rock the Block is coming to De Pere.
The Habitat for Humanity initiative recruits volunteers to take on exterior beautification, weatherization, safety repairs and home preservation projects, at no cost to the homeowner.
Rock the Block will take place over three days, from Sept. 12-14. Up to 30 homes will receive up to $7,500 worth of repairs.
It will focus on an east side neighborhood immediately east of City Hall and the new Mulva Cultural Center, extending Ontario Street to Washington Street, George Street to the north and Merrill Street to the south.
According to De Pere mayor, James Boyd, the median construction year of homes in this neighborhood is 1984 and 21% of housing units predate 1950.
Rock the Block helps struggling homeowners make necessary repairs while revitalizing neighborhoods.
“In Brown County, one in three households are living below the ALICE threshold and are struggling to meet daily, basic needs. Thirty percent of De Pere households are income-restrained and are limited on resources. Also Brown County has a 62.4% homeownership rate and of that, 20% of homeowners are spending greater than the recommended 30% threshold of their monthly income on housing. That’s where residents are forced to start making tradeoffs but we’re here to help,” said CEO of Greater Green Bay Habitat, Jessica Diederich.
To make this possible, De Pere is committing $400,000 worth of its affordable housing and ARPA funds to Rock the Block. Half will go toward the east side neighborhood project and the other half will go toward a Rock the Block initiative on the city’s west side in 2025.
Over the next few months, officials will be reviewing applicants and recruiting between 300 to 400 volunteers.
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