Residents are required to comply with property maintenance ordinances. However, due to physical or financial difficulties, some residents have problems with adequate property maintenance. The following information is for residents who are in need of assistance or for groups wanting to help someone in need.

Physical assistance may be necessary if a homeowner is having difficulty maintaining their property due to physical disabilities or medical problems. If a resident is financially stable they should hire a contractor. If financial problems exist, volunteers may be available.

Financial assistance is offered in the form of a grant or loan. A grant is awarded based on need and income guidelines and does not require that the amount be paid back. Loans require that the amount of the loan plus interest is paid back by a set period of time.

Supplies can be obtained through agencies that offer free paint and supplies. Hardware stores may provide donated supplies if requested.

Clean-up projects often result in large items, limbs, trash and debris that need to be removed from a property. Hauling services are available but many items are recyclable and can be donated to charitable organizations.

Physical Assistance:

The following persons or agencies should be contacted in the following order:

• Relatives: Ask children, siblings or other relatives to help with small projects.
• Property Maintenance Contractors: Private contractors provide property maintenance services for a fee. Check the local yellow pages for listings. Senior Link can assist the elderly with contacting service providers for bids. Call Senior Link at 816/753-4474.
• Religious Institutions: These institutions may have a youth group looking for a community project. Contact your church or local religious institution.
• Neighbors: Ask a neighbor if they can help with minor property improvements.
• Scout Troops: Check with a local school to determine if a boy or girl scout troop is looking for a small clean-up project.
• Volunteer Center of Johnson County: Call the center at 913/341-1792 about group clean-up projects.
• Christmas in October: This program coordinates volunteers that provide property maintenance assistance to those in need. Call Christmas in October at 816/531-6443 to be considered as a project.
• Organized Neighborhoods: Organized neighborhood groups may coordinate volunteers when no other assistance is available. Check with Community Services at 913/895-6270 for availability of neighborhood group volunteers.

Financial Assistance:

• First Suburbs Home Equity Loan Program - If your home is appraised by the county for less than $200,000, you may be eligible for a home improvement loan at an attractive interest rate through the First Suburbs Home Equity Loan Program offered by CommunityAmerica Credit Union. Call 913/905-6629 for more information.
• Johnson County Housing Services - Three programs are available to those who meet income guidelines:
  1. The HOME Program coordinates financing for major home repair. Call 913/715-6600.
  2. The Minor Home Repair Program coordinates financing and labor for minor home repair. Call 913/715-6600.
  3. The Weatherization Program coordinates financing and labor for weatherization improvements. Call 913/715-6600.
• Home Improvement Partnership Program - The city, through area lending institutions, offers a low-interest home improvement loan to residents who own and occupy either a one or two-unit family dwelling. Income guidelines apply. Contact the Home Improvement Partnership Program staff at 913/895-6212.
• AARP Reverse Mortgage - The Reverse Mortgage is a loan available to persons over age 62 whose homes are paid-in-full. The resident can take a loan against the house and when they can no longer stay in the home, the bank will sell the house and take the amount of the loan out of the sale price. Call 202/434-6044.
• Consumer Credit Counseling (CCC) - Credit counseling can help residents manage money in order to afford home improvements. The CCC provides free financial crisis services that includes debt management, budgeting, consumer financing education, and intelligent use of credit. Call 816/753-0535.

Free/Donated Supplies:

• Johnson County Wastewater District - The Johnson County Wastewater District provides free paint to those in need. Call 913/681-3200.
• Local Hardware Stores - Local hardware stores may donate supplies for major clean-up projects. Check the local yellow pages for listings.

Item Removal:

• Trash Removal - Deffenbaugh Disposal Services will collect larger items at the request of a resident for a fee. Call Deffenbaugh at 913/631-3300.
• Large Item Pickup - The city conducts a large item pickup once a year for one-half of the city; the other half is conducted the following year. Call 913/895-6270 for the pickup schedule in your area.
• Curbside Recycling - Call 913/895-6270 to request curbside recycling pickup and to obtain recycling guidelines.
• Recycling Drop-off Locations - Recycling locations, listed below, are also available. Call 913/895-6270 for the most recent list of locations.
• Donations - Agencies that accept donated items are listed below.
• Hazardous Waste - The Johnson County Hazardous Material Collection Program Facility accepts certain household hazardous waste. Call 913/492-0402.

Local Recycling Locations:

• 11921 Hardy Recycling Center (operated by Bridging the Gap)
  
• Wise Recycling Trailer - AC, FO, CO, BR, SA
  4203 Merriam Drive 913/831-1541
• Metro Carpet Recycling - CP
  Call for appointment 913/381-3015
• Camera Repair Service - CB
  7232 W. 79th St. 913/341-6325
• KC Digital Watch - CB
  9552 Antioch 913/381-2675
• Metcalf South Amoco - MO
  9301 Metcalf 913/648-3499
• OP South Amoco - BA, MO
  10701 Metcalf 913/381-7103
• Roe Amoco - MO
  10701 Roe Ave 913/381-9772

Donation of Useful Items:

• American Lung Association 1-800-577-LUNG (5864)
  Motor vehicles in working condition
• Disabled American Veterans 816/363-5595
  Appliances, furniture, toys, books and carpet
• Missouri Council of the Blind 816/236-8466
  Appliances in working condition, furniture, toys, clothing and books
• National Kidney Foundation 1-800-488-2277
  Automobiles, RVs boats and motorcycles
• The Salvation Army 816/421-5434
  Operable vehicles, small appliances, clothing, furniture,
  toys and household items
• The Surplus Exchange 816/472-0444
  Office equipment
• United Cerebral Palsy 816/453-5827
  Appliances, clothing, books, furniture, tools, lawn mowers, toys and bicycles
• Youth Volunteer Corp 1-800-448-5277
  Cars, RVs, motorcycles, boats, trailers and airplanes

Recycled Paint:

Department of Environmental Management, City of Kansas City, Missouri, 816/784-2080:

• Exterior recycled water-based paint available in tan, blue or brown for $10 per 5 gallon bucket or container.
• Other Supplies/Paint: Almost full cans of paint, spray cans, household cleaners. There is no charge for these items.
  

(Sources: Community Tool Box and Salem, Oregon Neighborhood Handbook)