Article by Gwen Jones, Department of Family Services
(Posted 2023 April)
Rebuilding Together Arlington/Fairfax/Falls Church (Rebuilding Together-AFF) is a nonprofit organization that helps low-income homeowners live in homes that are safe and healthy by making repairs and upgrades at no charge to the homeowner. The work is performed by skilled volunteers with priority given to older adults, people with disabilities, families with children, and veterans.
In 2015, Rebuilding Together-AFF created the Rebuilding Together Express Program (RT Express) to fill a gap in the services they offered. RT Express augments and complements Rebuilding Together’s traditional home repair program by delivering 40 common repairs that focus on fall safety, fire safety, moisture and ventilation, security, and energy updates selected for their significant health and safety benefits. RT Express is able to respond quickly to requests for help, with teams of four to five skilled volunteers completing half-day projects with a budget of $500 for materials. Since 2015 more than 375 homeowners have been served through the RT Express program.
Many of the homeowners served by RT Express are older adults so a top priority is falls prevention. Grab bars, double stair rails, comfort-height toilets, and brighter lighting are some of the most common improvements made. Since the RT Express program was established, volunteers have been able to correct 95% of fall hazards and 92% of all hazards for the homeowners they’ve served.
Expressing her gratitude for the work performed at her home by RT Express volunteers, Mrs. B wrote, “The railing on the back stairs and the railing in the house and the gravel under the driveway and… I can’t name just one repair that made the biggest difference for me! All the repairs have lifted my spirits and made a big difference in my sense of physical and mental wellbeing.”
Homeowners in Arlington or Fairfax Counties, the Cities of Fairfax or Falls Church, or the towns of Herndon and Vienna are eligible for the program if required income and other guidelines are met. To learn more about the RT Express program or to apply, please visit rebuildingtogether-aff.org, email info@rebuildingtogether-aff.org, or call 703-528-1999. If you need assistance completing the application, please call 703-528-1999. Reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities will be made upon request.
This article is part of the Golden Gazette monthly newsletter which covers a variety of topics and community news concerning older adults and caregivers in Fairfax County. Are you new to the Golden Gazette? Don’t miss out on future newsletters! Subscribe to get the electronic or free printed version mailed to you. Have a suggestion for a topic? Share it in an email or call 703-324-GOLD (4653).