Organization has helped repair more than 2,600 Santa Clara County homes in the past 24 years

Published in the July 6 – 19, 2016 issue of Morgan Hill Life

By Staff Report

Bev Jackson

Bev Jackson

The Morgan Hill City Council approved an agreement May 18 with Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley to partner on a Home Repair Rehab and Blight Busters Program. The goal of the partnership is to help improve the quality of life for many home owners who might not be able to afford necessary repairs to upkeep their residences.

Morgan Hill Life asked Bev Jackson, executive director of Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley, about the program and how it can benefit local people.

What is Rebuild Together Silicon Valley and how is it now partnering with the city of Morgan Hill since the agreement?

Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley is a nonprofit organization that believes that everyone deserves to live in a safe and healthy home.

For 24 years, Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley has transformed homes and lives by preserving and sustaining affordable housing through critical home repairs and accessibility modifications for low-income homeowners and community facilities.

Since our inception, we have mobilized more than 31,000 volunteers to repair more than 2,600 homes and community nonprofit facilities throughout Santa Clara County. All repairs are provided at no cost to the homeowner or nonprofit facility. Beginning July 1, Rebuilding Together will be administering the Senior Home Repair Program with funding provided by the city of Morgan Hill to assist fixed-income Morgan Hill homeowners with eligible home repairs.

Who might be eligible for the Home Repair Rehab and Blight Busters Program and why is it important to provide this assistance?

The program is targeted for low-income, seniors and/or disabled homeowners of owner occupied mobile homes and single family residences.
The annual income of the residents of the home may not exceed 80 percent of area median income. Repairs will address critical health and safety conditions in the home that left uncorrected may result in damage to the health of residents and further deterioration of the home.

This program will provide a lifeline for low- and fixed-income residents to ensure safe living conditions and improved mobility within the home.
A note from one recipient sums up the impact of our work: “It’s difficult to find the right words for my gratitude. It has been years since I felt the genuine joy I felt that day. The new stairs, grab bars, new door locks, smoke alarms and security lights have relieved much of my anxiety of living alone.”

How will the Home Repair Rehab Grant Program work?

To apply for the program, request an application package by contacting Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley at www.rtsv.org or 408-578-9519.
To qualify, applicants will need to provide proof of ownership of the home and household income. After submitting the application, Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley staff will meet with the homeowner to review the repair requests, assess the health and safety repair needs within the home, and determine eligibility. Once approved, Rebuilding Together will coordinate work scope completion, at no cost to the homeowner.

What exactly will the Blight Busters part of the program do for applicants and how does this work?

The Blight Busters program will be used to assist with targeted neighborhood clean-up projects and residential code enforcement opportunities, which have been identified as a health and safety concerns by the city of Morgan Hill Building and Code Enforcement Department.

Referrals to this program can be sent to the city of Morgan Hill housing manager or to Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley.

How might Morgan Hill people get involved by volunteering or sponsoring activities?

Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley mission is about transforming the lives of low-income homeowners by improving the safety and health of their homes and revitalizing the community.

Annually, Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley and more than 1,400 volunteers complete more than 300 repair projects, leveraging the willing hands and hearts of community volunteers and sponsors to help those in need.

For more information about getting involved as a volunteer, sponsor or supporter of the program, contact our office at (408) 578-9519, visit our website at www.rtsv.org and sign-up to receive our e-newsletter, or like us on Facebook to learn more about upcoming opportunities for this program in Morgan Hill.