Homelessness is a community problem, so it needs a community solution. When Williams Air Force Base was decommissioned in 1993, the Mesa, Arizona non-profit, House of Refuge, proposed redevelopment of the site into transitional housing with support programs. By 1996, the organization acquired 88 2-bedroom homes, a chapel, and an office building. The first family was accepted into the program that year. Now, nearly three decades years later, these homes need repair. Malarkey Roofing Products® was happy to help local partners donate materials and site support.

Eric Perry, owner of Eco Roofing Solutions, spearheaded the donation and roof installation effort. As a Malarkey Emerald Premium Contractor and president of the Arizona Roofing Contractors Association, Perry is well-connected in the local industry and community. Material coordination was managed by Tommy Montgomery, Bert Alaniz, and Tug Seestak from RWC Building Products. RWC also donated edge metal flashing and pipe jacks and loaded all materials onto the roofs.  

The old roofs were torn off handily by the Eco Roofing Crew. The Malarkey team assisted with cleaning up the old roof materials and ensuring plenty of water was available for everyone on the 110-degree day.

The New Malarkey Roof

Malarkey Smart Start® starter shingles set the first course of the new roof.  Smart Start® starter shingles are full-size, code-compliant shingles, fastened along the eave of the roof, and have strips of rubberized adhesive that provide exceptional seal-down for the first course of shingles to follow. Smart Start® starter shingles help prevent blow-offs and moisture intrusion from wind-blown rain at the eave and rake edges of the roof. Following the starter shingles are field shingles.

Malarkey Highlander® field roofing shingles were donated in the Sienna Blend color to match the beige desert landscape. Designed in the popular architectural style and made with our industry-leading NEX® Rubberized Asphalt, Highlander® shingles deliver all-weather resilience, a Class 3 hail impact rating, and include granules that help clean the air of emission pollutants. Sienna Blend also has a strong solar reflectance rating to help keep the home cool in the Arizona sun.

Malarkey RidgeFlex® ridge shingles were also donated to finish the roof. Ridge shingles provide extra impact protection at the more vulnerable high points of the roof. RidgeFlex® hip & ridge shingles are Class 4 impact rated, come in two (2) profile options (heights) – 10″ and 12″ for added roof dimension and subtle, enhanced curb appeal. These ridge shingles also match the field shingle color blend.

House of Refuge

“This Malarkey Cares event mattered to me because I live in [nearby] Gilbert and House of Refuge’s mission of helping homeless families,” said Ben Rucka, District Sales Manager at Malarkey. “Women that have been victims of abuse and their children really spoke to me.  Giving them a home for 12 months and all the additional support that the House of Refuge provides is an incredible thing,” he added.

House of Refuge offers transitional housing for families experiencing homelessness and/or fleeing domestic violence at $400/month. When a family joins House of Refuge, they receive supportive services to help them overcome homelessness and become self-sufficient. 

To donate, volunteer, or simply learn more about this organization, please visit https://houseofrefuge.org/.