After more than 15 years, every house needs a little upkeep. The Habitat for Humanity homes on Front Street in Issaquah are no exception, and this week volunteers began maintenance work on the exterior of the houses.

As a part of the nonprofit’s “A Brush with Kindness” program, skilled volunteers help current Habitat homeowners with the challenge of maintaining the outsides of their houses. The locally-operated project ensures that low-income residents continue to live in safe, well-maintained homes.

Jim McWha, a retired Boeing employee and long-time volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, is facilitating the group of six volunteers who are helping homeowners, Karen Ouimet and Candy Hammer, replace the siding on both of their homes and rebuild one of their backyard decks.

The Ouimet and Hammer family homes were originally built in 1994 by Habitat for Humanity of East King County (Habitat EKC), an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. Habitat EKC’s goal is to “empower families, build community, and create hope through an aggressive home-building ministry.”