programs

Safe at Home

At Rebuilding Together, we believe that older adults should be able to remain safe, healthy and independent in their own homes and communities. According to AARP, nearly 90% of older adults would prefer to stay in their current homes as long as possible. Aging in place is also widely understood to be more cost-effective than nursing homes and assisted living facili­ties.

Yet most of the existing housing stock in the United States is not designed to accommodate the physical and cognitive changes that come with age. Paying for home modifi­cations is often a financial burden for older adults living on fixed, limited incomes – particularly the lowest-in­come seniors – who tend to have higher rates of disability and live in older houses. Our Safe at Home program incorporates several key elements, including:

* Fall-reduction interventions that minimize the risk of falls in the home

* Home modifications that address the safety and quality of life for the residents

* Fire prevention strategies that reduce the risk of home fires

Emergency Repairs

Our Emergency Repair Program focuses on urgent home repairs for our clients, including repairing or replacing furnaces and hot water heaters that have stopped working.

Our program stands apart due to our quick response – providing significant and urgent solutions most often within 48 hours. Restoring heat (through furnace repair and replacement) and water (repairing and replacing water heaters, major plumbing leaks, and some sewer repairs) are the most significant and dramatic examples of our program. These critical repairs can keep families in their homes, avoiding health department or social service interventions. In 2016, the Emergency Repair Program supported 32 families and represented nearly half our work for the year.

To facilitate our rapid response, Rebuilding Together Colorado relies upon paid skilled professionals to complete the work in most cases. We have strong relationships with many licensed contractors, often providing in-kind supplies and discounted labor, lessening our financial burden to make these repairs. While we would love to call upon volunteers for this program, the technical nature – requiring a current contractors’ license, and waiting for volunteers’ schedules to coincide with the homeowner’s – would eliminate the efficient, turn-key aspects of the emergency repairs needed.

To be eligible for our Emergency Repair Program, homeowners must:

  • Reside in the five-county Denver Metro Area and/or El Paso county.
  • Own your own home.
  • Live on a low income.
  • Be either over age 60, a veteran, or be living with a disability or be a caregiver to someone living with a disability.

To learn more about our Emergency Repair Program, please call (720) 524-0840

Read here about Equilla, one of the recipients of the Emergency Home Repair Program.

Rebuilding Days

During Rebuilding Days, Rebuilding Together Colorado extends its impact on home health and safety. With large groups of volunteers gathered thanks to our dedicated sponsors, we complete dozens of critical home repairs on multiple homes and community centers within a single neighborhood.

Many home repair needs are difficult to address with only a single volunteer or skilled contractor. On a Rebuilding Day, we tackle repairs that need more hands, such as ripping up carpet and installing laminate flooring, building ramps and installing exterior handrails, and adding a fresh coat of paint on the interior or exterior of a home. Rebuilding Days are a source of pride for all those involved, and truly transform the neighborhoods we work in. 

Interested in sponsoring a Rebuilding Day? Click here for more info on how to get involved and make a difference for low-income homeowners. 

Wanna find out more about our Rebuilding Days? Click here!