Free appliance repair program coming to an end in June
Funding cuts and retirement spell the end of House of Friendship service
WATERLOO REGION — From dish washers that don’t wash, to freezers that won’t freeze, Keith Wagler has seen it all over the past three decades as an appliance repairman for low-income families across the region.
An imperfect storm of events, however, means the free repair program offered through the House of Friendship will end this June.
Wagler, 65, is set to retire and the Region of Waterloo has cut its portion of funding for the
program, which has seen the volume of calls for service drop by nearly half in recent years.
“On the whole, people were very thankful,” said Wagler, who has been the repairman since 1984 — just four years after it began. “It’s something unique to this area and is something our regional council found it in their heart to realize there are people here who are in need.”
Allison Dunn, director of community services with the House of Friendship, said Wagler was the face of the program and key to its success. It was available to anyone living on low income and the House of Friendship also got referrals from Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability Support Program.
“He didn’t just go in and do repairs, he would help educate people about why this (repair) was happening,” she said of Wagler. “He had dignity and respect, and was honest, reliable and knowledgeable.”
Dunn said the combination of Wagler’s retirement, the region’s decision to eliminate it’s half of the approximately $100,000 budget, and the drop in service call requests from more than 1,000 per year in the 1990s to fewer than 600 calls annually now, meant the program could no longer continue.
One of the reasons behind the steep drop in calls is the rapid change in appliance technology that has made them more difficult and more costly to fix, Wagler said.
“It’s getting to the point where a lot of the parts start at $200, so it’s hard to justify spending that when you can buy a new appliance for $500 or $600,” he said.
The program’s value extended beyond merely fixing broken fridges or dryers, Dunn said.
While affordable housing and food programs such as the local food banks attract much of the attention for local and provincial funding, a broken appliance can wreak havoc for those living on low incomes.
“If your fridge breaks down and you can’t afford to fix it, that can lead to spoiled food and having to eat out more,” said Dunn. “Or you’ll have to pay to wash your clothes. We’re very aware of the impact this makes in people’s lives.”
The House of Friendship is looking for new community partners who might help keep the program running. For more information or to help, contact Dunn at 519742-8327 ext. 128 or allisond@houseoffriendship.org.