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A homeowner’s journey with ReNew the Block
Meet Chris Devney, homeowner on Avon Street on La Crosse's Northside. Chris has been part of Habitat's ReNew the Block project since the beginning. Here's her story.
Chris Devney has called her little red house on Avon Street home for the past eight years. She fell in love with it during a difficult time in her life—while going through a divorce—and found comfort and joy in its charm and the welcoming neighborhood. In fact, after her first offer on the home was declined, she submitted a second one because the energy she felt from the house was too powerful to ignore.
She knew she wanted to be on the Northside to stay close to her family—her three children and seven grandchildren—and this home felt like the perfect place to build her future. The house, over 150 years old, has a rich history. The existing garage, she’s learned, used to be a living quarters many years ago, adding to the home’s character and story.
From the beginning, Chris poured her energy into making the house her own. She tackled interior updates like replacing carpet and painting walls, creating a warm and personalized space. Her home also became her workplace when she moved her dog grooming business, Yuppy Puppy, into the house—an opportunity that saved her from paying rent and allowed her to work in a space she loves.
Chris’s connection to her neighborhood runs deep. She enjoys walking to Northside businesses and the nearby Black River Beach, and she treasures living across from Logan Middle School. From her front porch, she watches the kids play baseball and football, enjoys the homecoming parade, and listens to band practice—claiming she has the best view in the neighborhood. She’s also become a champion for the neighborhood, protecting the new landscape elements installed through ReNew the Block and encouraging students to respect the improvements.
For years, Chris has also given back to the community by offering free dog grooming services to those in need, including homeless individuals who find her through word of mouth. She says it “just feels good” to help others. Through ReNew the Block, she’s experienced being on the receiving end of community support, which has deepened her commitment to giving back even more.
Chris has loved working with Habitat on this project and thinks it’s “so cool” to be part of a new idea to revitalize neighborhoods. She participates every ReNew volunteer day and finds joy in being part of something bigger than herself. She’s deeply appreciative of the help she’s received and the opportunities it’s given her to continue giving back.
ReNew-ing Chris' house
Chris has always loved her home, but for years she faced serious challenges—drafty rooms, no heat upstairs, and high electric bills due to outdated baseboard and space heaters. Without a gas line and with poor insulation, winters were especially tough. But thanks to a powerful collaboration between local organizations, contractors, and volunteers, her home has been transformed.
This project was made possible through a coordinated effort led by Habitat for Humanity and Couleecap, with support from Korger & Sons Construction, Ethos Green Power Cooperative, 7 Rivers Mechanical, and a dedicated team of community volunteers. Together, they leveraged state and federal funding to make Chris’s home more energy-efficient, climate-resilient, and comfortable—allowing her to age in place with dignity and peace of mind.
Home improvements included:
- Removal of lead-containing siding
- Installed new protective house warp, siding, and trim
- Replaced sill plate and installed new sheathing
- Insulated and sealed attic
- Weathersealing around windows doors, and wall joints
- Installed mini split heat pump system
Chris was part of the project from day one. Throughout the process, Chris stayed engaged—attending meetings, welcoming volunteers, and planting a fruit tree in her yard that she continues to care for. She worked alongside volunteers to install siding on her home and clean up at the end of each day, contributing sweat equity and taking pride in the improvements being made. Her involvement helped build a deeper connection to the project and the people behind it.
She’s already seeing results from the energy efficient upgrades: her monthly Xcel bill has dropped by $50, and for the first time in years, she’s looking forward to a warm winter without relying on space heaters. This project gave Chris more than just a safer, more efficient home—it gave her peace of mind and the ability to stay in the place she loves, with support from a community that came together to make it happen.
Partner Family
Stories
Darshida has been working to become a homeowner for years. She is a passionate nurse, a dedicated mother to four boys, and a longtime La Crosse resident. After years of hard work and unforeseen obstacles, Darshida and her family moved into their new home in spring 2023.