Rebuilding Together - Houston

The United States has a proud history of giving financial aid to the men and women who have offered to lay down their lives for the protection of their fellow citizens. Now, the grateful citizens of Houston along with the U.S. government are offering to lay down time and money in order to ease the lives of veterans living in Houston. The combined government-citizen effort will go towards a new project that will enable all Houston veterans to receive free essential home repairs as well as modified living environments for disabled veterans.

The gift of time and money comes from a $400,000 grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) plus a substantial amount of skilled volunteer labor and donated materials. The Veterans Housing project is being overseen by a national non-profit organization called Rebuilding Together. This NGO is a core services charity that provides free essential home repairs and modifications to low-income homeowners in need. Rebuilding Together focuses on eliminating health and safety hazards, improving energy efficiency, and updating the overall condition of low-income homes.

"Houston is home to many of our nation's retired armed services heroes," said Jim Fonteno, Board Member of Rebuilding Together - Houston. "It is important that we help them stay in their homes, safe and secure. We will be providing the repairs and modifications that they could not otherwise afford."

The $400,000 HUD grant was procured by the dedicated efforts of Congressman Al Green (Texas 9th Congressional District). The funds will go towards interior and exterior restorations and repairs on roofing, electricity, plumbing and other necessary home features. The Veterans Housing program will also specifically focus on the installation of handicapped entrance ramps and accessible kitchen and bath facilities for Houston's disabled veteran population.

"I am grateful to Congressman Green for his steadfast support for the efforts of Rebuilding Together," said Gary Officer, President and CEO of Rebuilding Together. "We owe a huge debt of gratitude to those who have served our nation in uniform and this partnership between the federal government and Rebuilding Together is a fitting way to make good on that debt."

Rebuilding Together will match the monetary contribution of the federal government four times over with its own contribution of labor and materials.

For more information or to see how you can donate your time or service, check out Rebuilding Together - Houston's Web site.