RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
Richmond City Council – Richmond City Hall - 900 E. Broad Street, Suite 200 - Richmond, VA 23219 - www.council.richmondva.gov
COUNCIL PUBLIC INFORMATION NEWS ADVISORY
IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO BE FORWARDED AND SHARED
Friday 28 October 2011
Councilwoman Ellen F. Robertson invites Richmond Eastview Neighborhood homeowners to apply now for free home repairs provided by Rebuilding Together of Richmond
Application Deadline: November 15, 2011; Repair event being held April 28, 2012
WHAT The Honorable Ellen F. Robertson, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council Gateway 6th District, invites homeowners in Richmond’s Eastview Neighborhood to apply now for a free one-day repair blitz to be held on April 28, 2012 by the local nonprofit organization, Rebuilding Together of Richmond. The deadline for applications is November 15, 2011.
Those who would be eligible for the program include:
• Own their home in the Eastview Neighborhood of Richmond
• Are 55 years of age or older or have disabilities
• Have a household income of less than $25,000
Applications are available from the Rebuilding Together of Richmond website, at: (http://www.rebuildingtogetherrichmond.org/Files/Homeowner-Application-2012.pdf or by calling Rebuilding Together of Richmond, at 804.739.3462.
Examples of repairs include painting; weather-proofing; repairs to heating, plumbing and electrical systems; roofing; insulating; appliance repair/replacement; installing/repairing handrails and grab bars; carpentry; repair to windows; porch repairs; improved lighting; removal of trip and fall hazards; general repairs to improve safety and security; general repairs; drainage improvements; and, yard work.
CONTACT For more information, please contact Rebuilding Together of Richmond, at 804.739.3462 (vm); rebuildingtogether-richmond@comcast.net (email); or, visit the website, at www.rebuildingtogetherrichmond.org (website)
BACKGROUND
Rebuilding Together of Richmond
Rebuilding Together of Richmond is part of nation's largest nonprofit organization working to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize neighborhoods by providing critical home repair and modification services to those in need at no cost to homeowners. With the help of citizen volunteers, skilled tradesman, the support of local business and major corporate partners, Rebuilding Together affiliates in America’s largest cities and smallest towns make life considerably better for thousands of low-income homeowners. In addition to its core home repair work, Rebuilding Together also rehabilitates community centers and conducts home modification and repair programs that focus on aging in place. Rebuilding Together has programs dedicated to energy efficiency, veteran’s housing, and disaster recovery and reconstruction. For more information, please visit the Rebuilding Together website, at www.RebuildingTogether.org
• The services and products delivered by Rebuilding Together of Richmond are paid for, sponsored and underwritten primarily by Richmond-based businesses and community partners.
• The Richmond Rebuilding Together organization began in April 1993 with repairs to 23 homes in Richmond’s Blackwell Neighborhood. At the close of it nineteenth year, the organization has rehabilitated nearly 900 homes and helped to revitalize 17 Richmond- area neighborhoods.
• Improvements made to homes have included:
o Reattaching gutters and downspouts
o Adding handrails to front/back stoops, adding/repairing wheelchair ramps
o Weatherizing doors and windows
o Roof replacement, heating restoration and insulation
o Hot water tank and other appliance repair and replacement
o Electrical service upgrades
o Bath fixtures replacement
o Repair to floors rotted by wet conditions
o Addition of security doors, deadbolts and peepholes.
• The Home Modifications component of this program includes assessment of the homeowner by an occupational therapist, followed by recommendations of products and modifications to be included in the rehabilitation effort, which may include:
o Supplying durable medical equipment – tub benches, toilet railings, grab bars
o Resolving safety issues – large numbers on telephones, CO2 and smoke detectors
o Elimination of trip/fall hazards
2011 Rebuilding Together of Richmond Facts
Held Saturday, April 30, 2011 in Richmond's Peter Paul Neighborhood
• Forty-seven homes served in the Peter Paul Neighborhood
• All homes owned and occupied by seniors with low-income and people who are disabled living in the City of Richmond.
• More than 1,500 volunteers participated in Rebuilding Together of Richmond each year.
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Steven R. Skinner, APR
Council Public Information Manager
RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
OFFICE OF THE COUNCIL CHIEF OF STAFF
Richmond City Hall
900 E. Broad Street, Suite 305
Richmond, Virginia 23219
804.646.6052 (office)
804.335.4054 (mobile)
804.937.1386 (home/mobile)
804.646.5468 (fax)
steven.skinner@richmondgov.com (email)
www.council.richmondva.gov(website)
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MISSION The mission of Richmond City Council
is to represent citizens in creating and amending
local laws, providing government policy and
oversight, and approving the city budget.
VISION Richmond City Council is committed to
creating a vibrant community that is a great place
to live, work, learn, play, visit and raise a family.
