Painting Homes and Lifting Spirits: Orange County and Habitat for Humanity Give Lockhart Homes a Makeover

When Orange County and Habitat for Humanity offered to repaint Ken Larrimore’s home for free, he did not hesitate to choose the color: his late wife’s favorite shade of blue.

Larrimore, who has lived in his Lockhart home since 1976, lost his wife to cancer seven years ago and has struggled to regain stability ever since. His home had fallen into disrepair over time — until a recent partnership between Orange County Neighborhood Services Division and Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County brought new life to the community.

Through the Fixin’ Up the Neighborhood (F.U.N.) Program, 15 homes in the Riverside Estates subdivision received fresh coats of paint and minor exterior repairs and touch-ups in late November. Funded by Orange County, the program helps revitalize neighborhoods while fostering community pride.

For Larrimore, the improvements meant much more than curb appeal. After years of loss and struggle, they restored a sense of hope he had not felt in a long time.

“They repainted my house and fixed my front door,” he said. “It’s been a blessing because the last eight years have been hard. But this has lifted my spirits, seeing that people actually care. I really appreciate what they did.”

Habitat Orlando & Osceola’s mission extends beyond building new, affordable homes. It also focuses on helping existing homeowners remain in their houses by addressing maintenance needs and improving livability.

And this is where the F.U.N. Program shines.

“We need to ensure homes continue to be maintained so residents can stay in their homes,” said Catherine Steck McManus, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County. “We’re not going to build our way out of the affordable housing crisis, but for people already in affordable homes, let’s help them by painting, rehabilitating and repairing. That’s a key component of the housing strategy here in Orange County.”

Since 2020, Orange County has worked to address housing challenges through its Housing For All Initiative and Affordable Housing Trust Fund. To date, the County has invested $58 million in more than a dozen projects — creating nearly 2,400 affordable units and preserving dozens of existing homes.

“The F.U.N. Program builds on these efforts by offering homeowners not just a fresh coat of paint, but a renewed sense of pride and hope,” said County Commissioner Christine Moore, who represents the Lockhart community. “Riverside Estates had in the past been troubled with a lot of issues, and today they have these homes painted,” Moore said. “It’s really a fresh start for all of them.”

Orange County’s Neighborhood Services Division continues to strengthen communities through its Community Workshops, Consumer Protection Services and EnHandsments Kits Program — all designed to empower residents and build neighborhood pride.

To learn more, email OCNeighborhoods@ocfl.net or call 407-836-420.

To learn more about Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County’s homeownership and preservation programs, visit HabitatOrlando.org.