National Rebuilding Day       

RTD is an affiliate of Rebuilding Together. Every year on the last Saturday in April, all of the affiliates across the country participate in National Rebuilding Day. This is a day on which thousands of volunteers come together to complete selected home repair projects for low-income, disabled and elderly residents. The home and community renovations completed on National Rebuilding Day benefit families, seniors and people with disabilities whose limited income has made it difficult to maintain their homes.

For RTD, participation in the National Rebuilding Day represents the culmination of a year's worth of planning and coordination. Approximately 4,000 volunteers throughout the metropolitan Detroit area come together to complete home repair projects in designated neighborhoods. We focus on repairing homes to make them safer and more accessible for their owners, as well as providing renovations and upgrades that will leave the home a brighter, more pleasant place.

Site Selection
Homes and non-profit facilities are selected with care. The local site selection process is governed by guidelines set by the Board of Directors of Rebuilding Together Detroit. For a home to be considered for adoption, the homeowner must be low-income and an older adult, living with disabilities, or a family with children living in Detroit.

The site selection referral process is accomplished several ways. Neighborhood associations, faith-based communities, and civic organizations often refer homeowners. While this is often the case, a referral is not necessary. Homeowners may apply directly for services.

Once site selection is determined, the adoption process begins. The rehabilitation process has numerous participants. It is truly a team effort. Homeowners and family members are asked to welcome the volunteers and work alongside if they are able.

 

Individual Home Site Selection Criteria
To be considered for home repair service you must meet the following requirements:

· You must own your own home. RTD cannot work on rental property.

· Your homeowner’s taxes must be up to date and in current status.

· All liens against the home must be satisfied and in current status.

· You must demonstrate that you have a need for the repairs.

· Household income must not exceed the HUD standards for low-income status.

· Your home is located with the current targeted service area.

 

If you meet the above criteria, apply online. If you have additional questions, please contact us at:  info@rebuildingtogetherdetroit.net

 

2009 Project Neighborhoods
Homeowner applications for the 2009 program year are not yet available. The selected areas for the 2009 National Rebuilding Day have not been announced. Contact the office to add your name our interest list. Once your name is added you will be notified if you live in the selected neighborhood. If your neighborhood is not selected this year, your name will be stored in our database up to three years.

 

 

Programs

HGTV’s Change the World — Vote for Detroit  as the City for Change

 

Detroit is one of eight cities invited to compete for a $40,000 grant from HGTV through its Change the World, Start at Home Campaign.

We win by getting the most online votes between January 1 and March 2.

This grant would enable RTD to make significant repairs to The Keane-Rankin Disabled American Veterans (DAV) facility, which helps wounded veterans get the services they need. These veterans, from WWII to Operation Iraqi Freedom, receive everything from psychological counseling to a simple hot meal.

This historical building was once the hub of Detroit's Westside, housing the most elite black social and professional club in the city, the Cotillion Club. Since purchasing the building in 2005, the organization has rehabbed the 1940s structure in the hope of restoring the building's role as a community pillar — this time serving the needs of Michigan's first and largest DAV chapter.

RTD volunteers would have the opportunity to assist with building a wheelchair ramp, in addition to upgrades to the social room, including fresh paint and furnishings. 

If you would like to be a volunteer for this project, please contact us at:                         volunteers@rebuildingtogetherdetroit.net