For many seniors they spend a lifetime scrimping and saving to buy a home only to find that they are unable to afford to maintain it. There is often no money left to address serious and sometime dangerous home repairs for seniors on a fixed income or low income families. These families may struggle each month to pay a mortgage or to afford basic necessities including food and medicine. Dangerous or non-working heating systems, leaking roofs, crumbling drywall, plumbing and electrical issues can cause some seniors and low income families to have to make tough decisions about whether they can safely stay in their home.

In Chittenden county one group is rebuilding the community one home at a time. Rebuilding Together Greater Burlington is a nonprofit that’s mission is “to keep people safe, warm and independent in their homes” according to Dixie O’Connor President of Rebuilding Together Greater Burlington. Each year Rebuilding Together has 2 days set aside for projects. These projects are completed in one day and include fixing and replacing roofs, porch repairs, handicap accessibility projects, painting, replacing rotten steps, new energy efficient windows, landscaping, drywalling and many other projects big and small. Formerly known as Christmas in April, this organization and its dedicated volunteers allow seniors, low income families, the disabled to safely remain in their own homes.

According to O’Connor project days are “like an old fashioned barn raising.” With a master volunteer list of over 150 Vermonters this group of skilled and unskilled labor work together to change the life of a family in one day. O’Connor admits, “it is very sobering to walk into these homes.” Substandard housing concerns are not new but many Vermonters are too proud to ask for help or they are not aware that this group provides the supplies and manpower to correct these issues free of charge.

According to O’Connor there has been an issue getting out the name of Rebuilding Together so many people who qualify for help do not apply and as always volunteers are needed. Volunteers range from teenagers to seniors. Some volunteers come from building trades and some have never swung a hammer but together they are changing lives.

For homeowners these project days bring new beginnings. As O’Connor said homeowners “are grateful, and excited for a new start.” This spring Rebuilding Together took on 2 projects one at the Heineburg Senior Center and one for a family in need. Together these two projects would cost over $75,000 but due to community support these were completed free of charge.

Paul Meacham of Burlington knows first hands what Rebuilding Together is all about. This senior remarked that they were “a tremendous help, I had no running water for one and a half years.” Thanks to Rebuilding Together’s help with the plumbing Meacham now has running water.

Rebuilding Together works with income eligible homeowners to improve their homes and their lives.

For more information
www.rebuildingtogetherburlington.org
802-860-9200

Sarah Lemnah writes on senior issues for the Champlain Valley Agency on Aging. This article originally appeared in the Burlington Free Press.