According to a CNBC article, American homeowners spent an average of $6,000 on maintenance and repairs in 2022. If a homeowner has to deal with a major repair – like a roof replacement, water heater issues or the aftermath of a natural disaster, the cost can be significantly higher. Many people can’t afford necessary repairs, which can lead to them losing their homes, living in unsafe conditions or risking their health trying to make repairs on their own. Everyone deserves to live in a safe, comfortable home. In this article, we’ll describe 15 charities that help with home repairs in the United States:
| # | Organization |
|---|---|
| 1 | Habitat for Humanity |
| 2 | Rebuilding Together |
| 3 | Women Under Construction Network |
| 4 | Project Houseworks |
| 5 | Reach Community Development |
| 6 | The Home Depot Foundation |
| 7 | Team Rubicon |
| 8 | Hearts & Hammers |
| 9 | Home Repairs Ministries |
| 10 | Community Energy Project |
| 11 | Coalition for Home Repair |
| 12 | Blueprint Ministries |
| 13 | Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri |
| 14 | Operation Ramp It Up |
| 15 | Furniture Bank Network |
#1. Habitat for Humanity
Area of operation: National/international
Habitat for Humanity is a national and international nonprofit housing organization. It operates in all 50 states with a volunteer labor force, donated goods and services, and individual and corporate donations. The organization is known for building houses, but it also does home and neighborhood repairs. The “Aging in Place” program helps with home repairs, modifications and community services based on individual homeowner’s needs and lifestyles. The neighborhood revitalization program also works to preserve and repair houses, along with supporting local organizations and developing long-term strategies to strengthen neighborhoods from the ground up.
#2. Rebuilding Together
Area of operation: National
Rebuilding Together is a national nonprofit specializing in safe, healthy housing. With local affiliates, the organization makes necessary repairs to those who need it, including communities affected by natural disasters. Programs include She Builds, which is a women-led, women-focused program that offers repairs to women-headed households and women-focused community spaces, and the Disaster Readiness and Recovery program, which focuses on disaster preparedness and recovery. Services vary depending on your local affiliate.
#3. Women Under Construction Network
Area of operation: Birmingham, Alabama
The Women Under Construction Network serves women, children and the elderly in underserved communities. Through the lens of home repair, the organization seeks to educate, motivate and empower women. The network’s home repair program, which is called “Repair Angels,” depends on a network of contractors, trade professionals and apprentices. They perform the home repairs, while Angel Companion volunteers keep in touch with homeowners. Repair Angels work in Birmingham and the surrounding areas.
#4. Project Houseworks
Area of operation: Ohama, NE
Project Houseworks is a charity that works to preserve affordable housing in the Ohama, Nebraska area. It offers several services, including Aging in Place programs, which provide home repairs and modifications. It also has the Warm the Metro program, which is a program offered every fall where members of HACCA volunteer to do furnace maintenance checks and repairs. The Brush Up community program paints houses.
#5. Reach Community Development
Area of operation: Portland, Oregon
Reach Community Development is a nonprofit property management company that owns and manages affordable and low-income housing. The organization also offers a Community Builders Program, which provides home repair services to qualifying elderly and/or disabled low-income homeowners in Portland, Oregon. Services include home maintenance, accessibility repairs and modifications, help with citations and violations, and portable heat pump/cooling units.
#6. The Home Depot Foundation
Area of operation: National
Home Depot is the world’s largest home improvement retailer. The Home Depot Foundation services U.S. veterans, trains tradespeople and supports communities dealing with natural disasters. Established in 2011, the Foundation has invested more than half a billion into veteran causes. The Foundation isn’t a direct service provider, but it awards grants to nonprofits that build new homes or rehabilitate permanent supportive housing for veterans.
#7. Team Rubicon
Area of operation: National/international
Team Rubicon is a veteran-led international NGO focused on disaster response. The organization has a Rebuild service, which is flexible, so depending on the situation, the team might choose to repair or rebuild. With local partners, Team Rubicon identifies vulnerable neighborhoods, finds those least likely to recover alone and uses the most resilient building materials and practices. The NGO has rebuilt or repaired houses following Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria.
#8. Hearts & Hammers
Area of operation: Twin Cities, MN + Dallas, TX
Hearts & Hammers is a charity that serves low-income homeowners (including veterans, surviving spouses of veterans, older people and people with disabilities) who need help with exterior restorations. Since 1986, the NGO has repaired over 8,500 homes. The labor force consists of volunteers from corporations, churches, businesses and other organizations. Most work is done in a day. To receive assistance, homeowners must meet eligibility qualifications based on factors like location, age, military status, disability and income.
#9. Home Repairs Ministries
Area of operation: Atlanta, Georgia metro
Founded in 2006, Home Repairs Ministries is a religious organization that helps homeowners with essential home repairs. The team completes 200+ projects every year through six counties in the Atlanta, Georgia area. With partnerships and volunteers, the NGO hopes to complete 1,000 projects a year. Services include home repairs and modifications for people with disabilities, seniors, low-income people and families taking in foster children.
#10. Community Energy Project
Area of operation: Portland, Oregon
Community Energy Project specializes in free home services based on safety, health and energy efficiency. It also engages with community education, supplies, home energy upgrades and repairs. Services include weatherization, leak repair and water heater replacement. The organization works with many partners, including the Portland Water Bureau, Electrify Now, US Bank, Pacific Power and others. The free home repair program focuses on people who own and occupy a home in Portland, who earn 50% of median income or less and who are 55+ and/or have a disability.
#11. Coalition for Home Repair
Area of operation: National
While the Coalition for Home Repair does not itself offer repairs, it is a membership organization for home repair nonprofits. It operates as a national trade association and foundation to share data, resources and best practices. Those interested in getting repairs can check out the member directory and search by filters like types of volunteer projects, location, types of volunteers and whether an organization is religious. The Coalition also offers grants (coalition members get grants 5x their membership dues) for tools, building materials, training and certifications, disaster recovery, research and cooperative grants. The grants portal offers information on specific grants.
#12. Blueprint Ministries
Area of operation: San Antonio, TX
Blueprint Ministries is a religious NGO focused on restoring homes for low-income individuals and families in inadequate housing. It’s a Certified Aging in Place Specialist, which means it’s received specialized training to serve people who want to stay in their homes long-term and who may need home modifications. In addition to home repairs, the NGO runs camp sessions for middle school and high school students interested in volunteer work. Blueprint is a member of the Coalition for Home Repair.
#13. Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri
Area of operation: Southern Missouri
This NGO was established in 2009 and operates in the southernmost 39 counties in Missouri. It offers a variety of services like housing services, disaster services, veteran services and more. It offers home repairs and modifications for low-income families, seniors and others through its Construction Services. In the last decade, the charity has provided over 550 repairs. Eligible home repairs include weatherization, repair and replacement of major systems, code violations and emergency repairs.
#14. Operation Ramp It Up
Area of operation: National
Wheelchair ramps cost thousands of dollars, which makes them too expensive for many people. Operation Ramp It Up installs wheelchair ramps for the homes of veterans, family members and others with physical disabilities. The NGO raises funds, coordinates volunteers and completes the installation process. The NGO also accepts ramp donations. When any of the NGO’s ramps are no longer needed, the team uses it for another home. Operation Ramp It Up has installed over 250 ramps and recycled over 200 ramps in all 50 states. Apartments, mobile homes, multi-unit residences and bi-level homes aren’t eligible.
#15. Furniture Bank Network
Area of operation: National
Furniture banks distribute gently used furniture and household goods at low or no cost to those who need them. The Furniture Bank Network is a collective of North American furniture banks. Members include Flourish, which is the only nonprofit furniture bank serving the Kansas City area, and Open Door Exchange, a Long Island furniture bank that also gives furniture at no cost. You can search for other local furniture banks on the network’s directory.
The cost of home repairs can burden individuals and families experiencing poverty. Here are 15 charities working to alleviate poverty in the United States and beyond.