A loose handrail or a leaky roof is stressful. It is even harder when you live alone and cannot afford to hire a contractor.
Rebuilding Together is a national nonprofit that helps people with limited incomes make their homes safer. Many of the people it serves are older adults and people with disabilities.
Here is what the program covers, who may qualify, and how to ask for help.
What Does Rebuilding Together Fix?
The work depends on the local Rebuilding Together organization, called an affiliate.
Rebuilding Together’s FAQ lists common repairs and improvements, including:
- Grab bars and other bathroom safety changes
- Roof repairs
- Wheelchair ramps and handrails
- Heating and cooling system repairs
- Window and door replacement
- Mold removal
- Painting and yard work
- Smoke alarm installation
Not every affiliate offers every service. The repairs available depend on local funding, resources, and the needs of the households being served.
Rebuilding Together also has a program called Safe at Home, which focuses on helping older adults and people with disabilities live more safely in their homes.
Safe at Home projects may include fall prevention, accessibility improvements, critical home repairs, and fire safety upgrades.
Examples include installing handrails, entry ramps, lower steps, wider doorways, accessible showers, raised toilets, and better lighting. Some projects also include smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
The Safe at Home program describes these services as no cost to the homeowner. However, you should ask your local affiliate which repairs are available and whether they would be provided at no cost in your situation.
If you need additional accessibility improvements, our guide to free home modifications for people with disabilities explains other places to look for help.
Who Qualifies?
Rebuilding Together primarily serves households with limited incomes, including older adults, veterans, people with disabilities, and families with children.
According to the organization’s national FAQ, eligibility is typically based on a household income at or below 80% of the area median income (AMI).
That amount is different depending on where you live and how many people are in your household.
Our area median income guide explains how to find the income limits for your area.
However, the 80% AMI guideline is not a universal requirement. Each affiliate has its own eligibility rules and decides which households it can serve.
Most affiliates focus on homeowners, but some also assist renters. If you rent your home, it is worth asking whether your local affiliate has a program that can help.
Rebuilding Together’s online application asks whether you own and live in your home, have homeowner’s insurance, and are current on your mortgage and property taxes.
These questions do not necessarily mean every affiliate requires all those conditions.
If you live alone, your household generally consists of one person for income reporting purposes. Be sure to follow your affiliate’s instructions about what income to include.
The national program does not establish one age requirement or require every applicant to have a disability.
If you need repairs because of mobility limitations, fall risks, or other safety concerns, explain those needs when contacting your local affiliate.
How Do You Apply?
You apply for assistance through your local Rebuilding Together affiliate.
Here is how to get started:
- Visit the Find Your Local Affiliate page.
- Search by ZIP code or select your state.
- Open the affiliate’s listing to find its contact information and website, if available.
- Ask whether it is accepting applications, serves your area, and works on your type of home.
- Follow the affiliate’s instructions for requesting repairs.
Rebuilding Together’s national website also has an online application form that asks about your household, home, income, and repair needs.
However, not every affiliate necessarily uses the same application process. Your local organization may have its own forms or instructions.
The national FAQ recommends contacting your affiliate directly to find out how to apply.
What Should You Have Ready?
Based on the questions in Rebuilding Together’s application, it may help to gather some basic information before contacting your affiliate.
Be ready to explain:
- What type of home you live in and approximately when it was built
- How many people live in your household
- Your total annual household income
- Which repairs are needed and which are most urgent
- Whether you own or rent your home
- Your homeowner’s insurance information, if applicable
- Your mortgage and property tax status, if applicable
Your affiliate may request additional documents or information.
You do not need to know how to fix the problem yourself. Focus on explaining what is wrong and how it affects your safety or ability to use your home.
For example, you might explain that your front steps have no handrail, your bathroom is difficult to enter safely, or your heating system is not working properly.
How Long Does It Take?
Rebuilding Together does not publish one national waiting period.
Its FAQ says projects take place throughout the year, but applicants should ask their local affiliate when repairs are scheduled in their area.
Availability depends on local funding, workers, volunteers, and the types of projects an affiliate can complete.
Affiliates may receive support through government grants, businesses, donations, and community partnerships. This means some locations have more resources than others.
There may be a waiting list, and submitting an application does not guarantee that repairs will be approved or completed.
If you have an urgent safety concern, explain that when you contact the affiliate and ask whether it has a process for prioritizing repairs.
What Is It Like to Have the Work Done?
Rebuilding Together affiliates may use volunteers, paid workers, or a combination of both.
The Safe at Home program describes projects that involve volunteers and professional crews.
If having several people in your home is difficult, or you need time to prepare for visitors, you can ask questions before work begins.
For example, you might want to know who will be coming, how many workers to expect, what day they will arrive, and approximately how long the repairs may take.
You can also ask whether the affiliate can provide those details in writing or by email.
The arrangements will depend on the local organization and the project, but asking ahead of time may make the experience easier to manage.
What Are the Limits?
Rebuilding Together is a national network of local organizations, so services are not available everywhere.
According to its national FAQ, the organization has affiliates in 38 states and Washington, D.C. Even within those states, an affiliate may not serve every city or county.
Other important limits include:
- Funding: Repairs depend on available resources and local program priorities.
- Eligibility: Income limits, homeownership requirements, and other conditions vary by affiliate.
- Repair types: Most projects focus on critical repairs, safety, and accessibility rather than cosmetic remodeling.
- Availability: Some affiliates may have waiting lists or may not be accepting new applications.
- Costs: Safe at Home describes its services as no cost to homeowners, but you should confirm what your local affiliate can provide and whether any expenses would be your responsibility.
If your local Rebuilding Together affiliate cannot help, there may be other programs worth checking.
Our guide to free home repair grants for low income Americans covers additional resources that may help with necessary repairs.
Relief Recap
Many older adults and people with disabilities put off home repairs because hiring a contractor is simply too expensive.
Rebuilding Together may be able to help with critical repairs, accessibility improvements, and safety upgrades through its network of local affiliates.
Eligibility, available repairs, and waiting times vary by location. Safe at Home offers no-cost safety modifications for eligible homeowners, but not every affiliate provides the same services.
Start with the Rebuilding Together affiliate directory to find out whether help is available in your area and how to apply.
For more options, read our guide to home repair assistance for seniors.
