Frequently Asked Questions

What is Rebuilding Together?

Rebuilding Together is a national volunteer organization that works with local communities to rehabilitate the houses of low-income homeowners, particularly the elderly and disabled, so that they may continue to live independently in warmth and safety.

After months of planning and preparation, work culminates in a national Rebuilding Day, usually the last Saturday in April. Volunteers from throughout the community join to help their neighbors in the American barnraising tradition.

What is the impact of Rebuilding Together?

Operating in 865 cities and towns in all 50 states, Rebuilding Together rehabilitated 8,500 homes and nonprofit facilities in 2004 with the volunteer power of over 275,000 men, women and children. The projects were valued at more than $90 million. With volunteers eager to help, Rebuilding Together fills a desperate need, revitalizing neighborhoods as well as rehabilitating houses.

Why are services needed?

The number of low-income homeowners increases each year. The current 24 million low-income homeowner families is expected to grow to an astonishing 28.5 million by the year 2010. 22% of all Americans are "shelter-poor," meaning they cannot afford basic minimum necessities after paying housing costs. Therein lies the paradox: they have a home but cannot afford to maintain it. This growth means that more and more families are placed in the position of choosing between vital necessities, such as food or medicine, or a roof that does not leak. Rebuilding Together works to ensure that as many of those families as possible do not have to make these difficult choices.

How are projects selected?

Homeowners must be low-income and elderly, disabled, or families with children, and unable to do the work Individual families are referred through neighborhood associations, churches, synagogues, community organizations, and service groups, or by self-referral. Our House Selection Committee, with input from referring organizations, reviews applications submitted by the end of December. We then visit a selected group of homes to perfrom a site review. Final approval is made by the Board of Directors.

Do homeowners pay?

All repairs are free for homeowners. Labor and many supplies are typically donated. Homeowners and family members are asked to welcome the volunteers into their homes and work alongside them to the extent possible. Our work is done with families and neighborhoods, not for them. A homeowner brochure is provided to clarify our process and partnership.