RICHMOND, Va. -- Over a year after she applied and was approved for a home repair program, long-time Richmond resident Dorothy Bruce reached out to CBS 6 hoping to get some answers on when the process would finally begin.
For decades Bruce's home served as a harbor of care and compassion for anyone in her community. She has welcomed generations of children into the Richmond home she and her husband have lived in for more than 60 years.
After years of running a home daycare program, she decided to retire and get some much-needed repairs done to her home.
Bruce applied for a home repair program through the organization Project Homes. They offer various home repair services to people based on state-mandated income restrictions.
"I immediately turned in papers, got approved last year in March and so I was told that someone would come out and check for lead," she said.
![Poster image - 2024-04-26T175531.944.jpg](https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/cc99346/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1280x720+0+0/resize/1280x720!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fewscripps-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fbc%2F92%2F3a7724644df7bccf2ddd13a2d08a%2Fposter-image-2024-04-26t175531-944.jpg)
Bruce said she was so excited after being approved in spring 2023. "Oh that was such a relief," she said. "After 60 years there's been a lot of damage done by now."
Months later in October, Bruce said someone working with Project Homes came out to inspect her home.
"He took pictures of the whole house," she said. "He told me that there's just so much that has to be done, he assured me that they may not be able to do everything."
Aware the process may take a while, she waited for a call back on when renovations would start. Bruce said she was told the entire process including renovations could take up to six months.
![Poster image - 2024-04-26T175737.901.jpg](https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c0a65a4/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1280x720+0+0/resize/1280x720!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fewscripps-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fb4%2Fd0%2Fae573b4a4d55ad30fbd451c3bbcd%2Fposter-image-2024-04-26t175737-901.jpg)
Months later, Bruce says she still has never received a call. She reached out to them at the beginning of April and said she was confused and saddened by their response.
"Someone returned my call and she said you’ll have to reapply," she said. "I was frustrated, disappointed, blamed myself, wondering if maybe I hadn’t been as grateful as I should've been, hurt, all of the above.
Bruce then reached out to CBS 6 hoping to get an understanding of what the issue was. "I said I do not understand what you’re saying, I will reach out to Channel 6," she said.
Waiting with no update is what Bruce said has been the hardest part, as she was looking forward to the freedom getting those repairs would bring.
"It would mean inviting my grandchildren to come and spend time," she said. "Can’t you imagine the joy being able to have students, friends of my grandchildren just like friends of my children came and feeling free."
CBS 6 reached out to Project Homes regarding the situation and was told that they spoke to Bruce and have addressed her concerns.
CBS 6 then spoke with Bruce who said Project Homes called her and said they sincerely apologize for the delay in response and that she would not need to reapply for the program. They are hoping to start her repairs this June.
Depend on CBS 6 News and WTVR.com for in-depth coverage of this important local story. Anyone with more information can email newstips@wtvr.com to send a tip.
Every day CBS 6 is Giving You A Voice. Share your voice with the CBS 6 Newsroomvia email hereor click here to submit a tip. You can also leave a message by calling 804-254-3672. Be sure to leave your name, phone number and detailed description of your story idea.
-
-
Why Chesterfield judges will stop appointing cases to public defenders
The Chesterfield Public Defender's Office will not be appointed any new cases by circuit court judges until further notice, according to an order issued Chief Judge David Johnson.What leaders are doing after residents voiced concerns over AC at apartments
Residents said the faulty AC system inside the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA) property has been causing issues for months.Virginia senators share thoughts on Biden's departure and Netanyahu's arrival
Virginia Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, both Democrats, spoke on separate Zoom calls Thursday with Virginia reporters.Mom loses $1,600 in Taylor Swift social media ticket scam: 'My stomach dropped'
"I was like, you've got to be kidding me. Like, there's no there's no way. It just all of a sudden clicked like something is not adding up."Plan for Dominion Energy plant met with opposition at Chesterfield board meeting
A group that calls themselves “Friends of Chesterfield” held a rally shortly before the Chesterfield Board of Supervisors monthly board meeting Wednesday night.Send story tip to CBS 6 Investigative Reporter Tyler Layne
Click here to send a story idea to Tyler or any of our reporters. You can also email Tyler directly at Tyler.Layne@WTVR.com or call him at 804-254-3647.
-