About

WHO WE ARE

Rebuilding Together Baltimore

Rebuilding Together Baltimore (RTB) is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization devoted to repairing homes, revitalizing communities and rebuilding lives by providing no cost home repairs to homeowners earning less than area median income. In our service areas we operate four initiatives with an overall goal to make homes warmer, safer, and drier.

Rebuilding Together Baltimore, formerly known as Christmas in April, was founded in 1989. In 1988, Christmas in April chapters across the country came together to form a national organization (now known as Rebuilding Together), the nation’s leading critical home repair non-profit organization. Rebuilding Together works to preserve home ownership, support building generational wealth, and to revitalize communities. Over 120 Rebuilding Together affiliates operate across the country. Affiliates operate independently of the national office and tailor their programs to fit the needs of their communities.

Since 1989, RTB has mobilized over 20,000 volunteers to repair more than 1,800 homes in Baltimore City and Baltimore County. Our work represents a cumulative value of over $20 million for the Baltimore area.

We serve older adults, families with children, and people with disabilities who do not have the physical or financial means to address their critical home repair needs.

Rebuilding Together Baltimore

5820 York Road Suite T300

Phone number: (410) 889-2710

WHO WE HELP

Our work provides no cost repairs for low income homeowners in targeted neighborhoods and through our initiatives throughout Baltimore City and Baltimore County. For many reasons beyond a homeowner’s control, the cost of a repair in the home , such as a leak in the roof or crack in the stairs to the backyard, can make the difference between affording their mortgage and their medicine. Repairs provided by RTB enable older adults, families with children, and people with disabilities to continue to live in their homes in greater safety and comfort.

People Living With Disabilities:

Repairs and modifications provided by RTB help people with disabilities maintain independence and stay in their homes. General home maintenance can address problems they may not be physically able to complete or able to afford.

Families with Children:

Many of the homeowners we serve intend to pass their property on to a family member. By eliminating safety hazards, RTB helps multigenerational families and households be safe for residents of all ages. When a new baby or an aging parent enters the home, it can be challenging to accommodate the needs of everyone. Critical home repairs can ensure a family can stay safe and healthy together for a long time.

Older Adults:

The overwhelming majority of older adults want to stay in their homes as they age. Much of Baltimore’s historic housing stock was not designed with this in mind. The repairs and modifications provided by RTB make homes more suitable for aging in place, and help older adults on fixed incomes maintain their homes.

To learn more about eligibility for our services, or if you have any questions, please call us at (410) 889-2710 or email us.

Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that everyone who applies will be accepted into the program. We have limited resources and have to prioritize homes based on need, funding availability, and the skills of our volunteers.

FAQ

What is Rebuilding Together Baltimore

Rebuilding Together Baltimore is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1989. We provide home repairs to low-income homeowners who are seniors, people with disabilities, and families with children in Baltimore City and Baltimore County. All repairs are provided at no charge to the homeowners. We have assisted over 1,600 households since we were founded.
How do you provide home repairs for free?

We receive generous financial support from the corporate community as well as the government and local foundations. We use this money to purchase the materials needed for the repairs that we do. Many of our repairs are done by volunteers, which saves thousands of dollars in labor costs.
That sounds a lot like “Christmas in April”. What ever happened to that program?

Rebuilding Together is the same as Christmas in April. We changed our name in 2000.
What kind of repairs do you do?

Repairs are prioritized base on the 8 principles of Healthy Housing: 1. Keep it DRY 2. Keep it CLEAN 3. Keep it PEST-FREE 4. Keep it SAFE 5. Keep it CONTAMINANT-FREE 6. Keep it WELL VENTILATED 7. Keep it MAINTAINED 8. Keep it THERMALLY CONTROLLED Repairs are also structured based on Rebuilding Together's 25 Health and Safety Priorities, which you can read here. Repairs can include roof repair, energy efficiency improvements, repair of safety hazards, and fall prevention interventions for seniors and people with disabilities. We can do many different types of repairs. What we do depends on the condition of the home, the availability of funding and the skills of our volunteers.
Is this like the TV show, “Extreme Makeover”?"

No. We can’t rehabilitate or build an entire house like they do on TV. We target repairs that will make the home warmer, safer, and drier and contribute to community revitalization. The home will be more comfortable and safer to live in, and will probably look nicer, but it won’t be a complete makeover.
Is everyone who applies guaranteed to get help?

Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that everyone who applies will be accepted into the program. We have limited resources and have to prioritize homes based on need as well as the skills and abilities of our volunteers.
What do you expect from homeowners if their home is selected?

If a home is selected for work, we ask that the homeowner works with staff and volunteers to prioritize and plan the repairs. We also ask that any able-bodied residents of the home, or relatives who live in the area, be present to help volunteers with the repairs.