Henrico County is looking for homes to add to the 2011 project list of Operation Paintbrush — the free program that coordinates repainting and minor repairs of county residences whose owners, whether due to age, disability or financial hardship, cannot do the work themselves. Residents and others are encouraged to contact the county to suggest homes for the program.

Designed to preserve Henrico’s moderate- and low-income housing, prevent neighborhood blight and help eligible residents, Operation Paintbrush recruits volunteers to prepare and paint the exterior of qualifying homes. Light repair work, such as replacing rotted boards or cleaning and mowing a yard, may be performed as well.

Since its inception in April 2000, Operation Paintbrush has facilitated the painting and repair of 163 Henrico homes. The program is administered by Community Maintenance, a division of the Department of Community Revitalization. 

Prospective homes are screened for eligibility using federal guidelines for moderate- and low-income homes. Neighborhood Planner Kimberly Pomatto said that qualifying homeowners typically are lower-income seniors who may be disabled as well.

“We encourage anyone who thinks a home may qualify to contact us,” she said. “We need the public’s assistance in identifying homes for the program.”

To suggest a home for Operation Paintbrush, contact Pomatto at 501-7628 or e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). For details, visit http://www.co.henrico.va.us/maint.