Ecumenical Partnership for Housing
Guidelines for Distribution of Projects – BMC and Unit Coordinators
Goal:
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To document many of common practices, which, as we continue to grow, become more difficult to manage on a consistent basis. It also
reduces dependence on our collective memories and assumptions. It is also designed to help in the communication process, thereby
reducing stress and uncertainly for our many valued volunteers.
Most important – it is to provide the best possible experiences and outcomes for our families!
Area of Need
Building and Maintenance Team
Interior Unit Coordinator Team between families
Appliances
(washer, dryer, stove,
refrigerator)
All work on appliances – repair, as well as moving and
installation, and disposal.
May assist in finding appliance donations within their
churches, and may move appliances for the purpose of
cleaning between families.
Plumbing
All work which would require the dismantling of any of
the plumbing fixtures.
Feel free to attempt basic unclogging procedures if
comfortable.
Furnaces
Inspections, filter changes, all repairs
NA
Flooring
All replacement, removal, improvement, etc.
Cleaning of the carpeting
Electrical
Includes addressing problems, as well replacing
fixtures, installations, etc.
NA
Phone problems
If there are connectively issues, BMC will track down
the issue. Anything to do with the wiring, phone jacks,
etc.
Responsible for having a working phone and answering
machine in the unit.
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Area of Need
Building and Maintenance Team
Interior Unit Coordinator Team between families
Furniture moving and
storage
General repair after the furniture is in the home.
All furniture moving, pick-up, storage, collection, etc. as
needed, and coordinator through the Lead Coordinator.
Painting
Only by default.
Smoke Alarms and
Fire Extinguishers
BMC will replace and or check on the following in April
of each year.
• Replacing all batteries – smoke alarms as well
as carbon dioxide detectors.
• Test and making sure all smoke alarms and
carbon dioxide detectors are in working
condition and within the designated age limits.
Preference is for the Unit Coordinator to coordinate
painting through the use of church volunteers.
NA
Fire extinguishers
• BMC will recertify each fire extinguisher on an
annual basis within one year of the previous
certification. Each fire extinguisher will carry a
“ticket” with the date of certification.
Child safety locks on
cabinets and drawers
as appropriate
Install child-proof locking mechanisms where
appropriate when requested by the Unit Coordinator.
Windows
TBD
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The UC is responsible for checking to make sure childproof are installed and in good working condition where
appropriate (such as cleaning supplies). If the UC and
partnership church volunteers are not able to install,
contact BMC.
TBD
Additional Notes:
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Once a family has moved into a home, all maintenance will be handled by BMC personnel who have been approved through the TSA
process, which includes background checks. This is out of respect for the comfort and privacy of the families living within our homes.
With our families in mind, the default responsibility will be with our Building and Maintenance Supervisor (Jeff Carels). However, as
member churches, it is our responsibility to engage as many volunteer resources as reasonable.
We recognize there will be variation in the skill level of volunteers as well as the number of volunteers by partnership church.
E-mail expectations – respond within 24-36 hours. If no response in 24-36 hours, follow-up with a phone call. Call if urgent.
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