New Greensboro program provides home improvement tools for residents

A new program in Greensboro provides the equipment for residents to make home improvements without the cost. 

The Neighborhood Toolbox Tool Lending Center loans lawn mowers, pressure washers, weed eaters, and more to folks who are unable to keep their yards in code compliance due to a lack of equipment. And for indoor fixer-upper projects, there’ll be smaller hand-held tools available as well. It’s a joint effort between Lowe’s — which donated the tools and equipment for lending — and the city’s Housing and Neighborhood Development Department. Manager Larry Roberts calls it a win-win for residents unable to maintain their homes and his team’s efforts to monitor those properties.

"The main objective is, if you see somebody — whether it’s yourself or your neighbor — that has overgrown yard and they don’t have the means to help theirself stay in compliance with the city of Greensboro, if their grass is getting too tall, ‘Hey, we know of this program. You can rent a lawnmower, we can knock out the problem, and you don’t have to worry about staying out of compliance with the city,’ says Roberts.

Tools will be on display beginning Thursday afternoon at The People’s Market in Greensboro. Items can be borrowed for up to five days.