Rebuilding Denver Homes, Together

Jesse Sehlmeyer, owner/broker of Vintage Homes of Denver, recently worked on a project with Rebuilding Together.  Rebuilding Together Metro Denver is a national non-profit with a presence in the Denver area since 1999, and Vintage Homes of Denver has been volunteering with the organization for the past 4 years.

Rebuilding Together Metro Denver works with low income homeowners that need help to maintain the safety and efficiency of their home.  These individuals are seniors that require basic home repair, safety installations (such as grab bars, fire extinguishers and CO2 detectors), and code-enforced landscaping.  An added global benefit to Rebuilding Together’s mission is the energy efficient upgrades experienced in the newly repaired homes.  The volunteers change out old bulbs for CFLs, replace exhausted filters in furnace units, and install digital thermostats to better regulate the heating and air conditioning of the structure.

Without an organization like RTMD and its army of volunteers, many struggling seniors would find it necessary to choose between basic repairs and more pressing items, such as medication and food.  Some homeowners would even have to choose to leave their homes and enter assisted living centers.

In November, Jesse joined the group for his third “Rebuilding Day”, an event that can repair 25-30 senior homes.  Volunteers meet at a home that has successfully completed the application process for assistance.  Each home is serviced by a group of 12-15 volunteers.  Many times the team is comprised of a company taking on a whole house for it’s project.  Each home has an assigned project manager who has put together a punch list that can include a number of home repairs and improvements.

Jesse is also a member of the “handy-person group”.  These volunteers with experience in construction work with individual homeowners one on one to address safety related repairs including installing grab bars in showers, hand showers, and shower seating.  They also change furnace filters, insulate water heaters, repair window locks, install exterior or interior railings, and door locks.  Special attention is also paid to fall hazards, including thresholds, stairs, and flooring concerns.  There are also times when the volunteers will complete an install of larger appliances when the old one doesn’t work and one has been donated to Rebuilding Together, or purchased by the homeowner.  Denver Water has graciously supplied low flow toilets, sink aerators, and low flow shower heads to reduce water consumption.

Charitable donations, fundraisers and grants enable Rebuilding Together Metro Denver to continue on its mission of aiding low income senior homeowners, stabilizing Denver homes and revitalizing Denver neighborhoods.  Rebuilding Together, on a national level, has also been named DIY Network and HGTV’s sole “Charity of Choice” for the next three years.