A determined team of young men, under the guidance of superintendent Hewvonnie Brown and the charity Habitat for Humanity Bermuda, continues to repair homes for locals struggling to make ends meet.

“Since Fay and Gonzalo, we’ve had an influx of people inquiring about the possibility of getting help,” Mr Brown said, as the group neared its 50th rehabilitated house. “We’re doing pretty well.”

Much of the work is done for free, with many of the necessary fixtures coming from individual and corporate donors. The initiative is under the auspices of the social help group, the Coalition for the Protection of Children.

Homeowner number 45 on the list of residences renovated since the work began in 2010 asked to remain anonymous so that her privacy could be protected.

The mother of five called the work “awesome” and had nothing but praise for Habitat’s team — drawn from the young men of gang-troubled neighbourhoods — who have obtained new skills and an impressive work ethic under the tutelage of Mr Brown.

“My home was 15 years old, the electricity, everything was a total mess, and I was in a financial bind,” the North Pembroke resident said.

“The house now is comfortable. They had us living there during the renovations while they fixed the wiring, did some flooring and installed new windows.”

Her family feels safe now, the woman added, with windows that lock, and her toddlers protected from dangerous exposed wiring.

“I’m very, very grateful for the work they have done,” she said.

The job was substantial, as Mr Brown can attest: the house was “liveable”, he said, but in poor shape nonetheless.

“We were responsible for helping her refloor two rooms and change 14 windows, two sliding doors, the front door and the back,” Mr Brown recalled. “We gave it new electrics. It took us just under a month.”

Although the initiative operates under the anti-gang initiative, Team Street Safe, the supervisor disliked the use of the word “gang”.

He said: “You can’t say it’s guilt by affiliation, it’s guilt by location. Because of where they stay, they get stigmatised, but they have good work ethics. If you tell them to be there at 8am, they’re there. We don’t have to go looking for them. They’re very punctual.

“It gives you a chance to learn who they really are. Once you do that, you see they’re reaching out and they want to work.”

Mr Brown said that there were five to six young men who worked on a consistent basis, but the numbers can vary “depending on the location”.

He added: “We’re dealing with males that are at risk. Not all of them can travel throughout the country, as we know. One of our clients has built a rapport with a professional — even outside of Habitat, this man can take our client with him. Once the dynamics of Bermuda change and people can move without feeling threatened, he will be able to say he has something tangible of his own.”

Coalition chairwoman Sheelagh Cooper, who works closely with the enterprise, said the majority of the refurbishments were pro bono.

“We’re always looking for money to cover costs — some are able to reimburse Habitat — but so much of our labour is done by volunteers, and the materials donated,” she said.

Three more houses have been renovated since The Royal Gazette previously reported on the initiative last month.

“It’s amazing how quickly they can put these things together,” Ms Cooper said. “This is also a developmental opportunity for these young men. They are learning trades.”

She confirmed that Habitat for Humanity Bermuda is fielding many extra calls as a result of hurricane damage,­ but they are also in the midst of a fundraising campaign to meet the rising need.

To learn more, to donate or to seek assistance, contact Habitat for Humanity Bermuda at 295-1150.