in need of repair

They realize that they’re a little bit broken, in need of repair.

Gray hair is often characterized as an intruder that must be removed while wrinkles are considered deformities in need of repair.

Patricia Johnson, 68, a retired machine operator who lives with her husband in East Baltimore, said her home’s heater was more than two decades old and in need of repair, but she could not afford to pay $10,000 to $15,000 to replace the system.

Schools in wealthier, mostly white neighborhoods sometimes have better technology, higher-quality books, and smaller class sizes; schools in disadvantaged neighborhoods with more people of color sometimes have older or broken computers, overcrowded classes, and buildings in need of repair.

Yet despite providing essential urban infrastructure, it’s estimated that close to half of the city’s sidewalks are in need of repair.