For 27 years, RTSEM has served low-income homeowners in Oakland County and Southeast Michigan by mobilizing volunteer teams to provide critically needed home repairs and modifications. As a local nonprofit organization, RTSEM is grounded in our community, partnering each year with about 40 small businesses, corporations, civic and faith-based organizations to mobilize more than 1,000 volunteers to assist 60 low-income homeowner households per year. Since 1992, RTSEM has leveraged $8 million in volunteer labor to help 1,102 low-income households.
Rebuilding Together Southeast Michigan provides no cost home repairs to qualified homeowners in order to provide them with a warm, safe, dry and independent living environment. It is our belief that every homeowner should be given the opportunity to live in a safe and healthy home.
Rebuilding Together Southeast Michigan (RTSEM) is one of 129 affiliates in 39 states, which mobilize volunteers to make critical home repairs at no charge to help low-income homeowners, veterans, seniors, persons with disabilities, and vulnerable families with children.
Rebuilding Together is the nation’s leading organization bringing volunteers and communities together to improve the lives of low-income homeowners. Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., Rebuilding Together puts the Principles of Healthy Homes into practice to correct health and safety hazards in older, high-risk homes through a volunteer-based delivery system of unmatched cost effectiveness.
Rebuilding Together Southeast Michigan began in Oakland County 27 years ago and we remain committed to serving its residents. For more information, please give us a call: 248-482-8061
We are currently accepting applications from Detroit homeowners in neighborhoods in city council District 4. Zip codes in District 4 can be found here. For more information, please give us a call: 313-766-4010
We are not accepting homeowner applications from Macomb County at this time. Our strategic plan outlines expansion to serve the tri-county area in 2021.
- The applicant must own the home.
- The applicant must live in the home.
- The applicant must be current on property taxes for the home.
- The applicant must be current on mortgage payments for the home.
- The applicant must have a current homeowner’s insurance policy for the property.
- The home must be a free-standing, single-family home; we are not able to serve rental properties, condos, or mobile homes.
The applicant or a permanent household resident must meet at least one of the following qualifications:
- Be a senior citizen (defined as 60 years of age or older)
- Receive Federal disability benefits
- Be a veteran of the United States Armed Forces (as evidenced by a DD Form 214)
- Have children living in the home
The applicant’s household must meet income guidelines. Applicant households with an annual income of up to 80% of HUD’s area median income are eligible for our services. Applicant households with an annual income of up to 50% of HUD’s area median income will be prioritized for our services. HUD’s area median income guidelines are calculated annually and can be found here.
Southeast Michigan Rebuild Days
Southeast Michigan Rebuild Days take place throughout the Spring and Fall and are planned in conjunction with a community partner who sponsors the project and provides the volunteers. These projects are typically completed in one day with an average team of 30 people. This program allows us to serve homeowners in need throughout the year rather than just in April.
National Rebuilding Day
On the last Saturday in April every year, affiliates across the nation participate in home rebuild projects in their area for National Rebuild Day. On April 28, 2018, RTSEM completed 25 major home repair projects with the support of 1,000 community volunteers.
Handyman Program
Our Handyman Program provides homeowners with non-emergency repairs that utilize a team of 3-4 volunteers, take less than four hours and less than $500 to complete. RTSEM implemented the Handyman Repair Program in 2012, since then we have completed 291 handyman repairs. Repairs include replacing faucets, replacing doorknobs, installing grab bars, and installing smoke detectors.