National Rebuilding Month is well underway, and that means it’s almost time for the culmination of this annual community engagement month: National Rebuilding Day.
Held on the last Saturday of April, it’s a day marked by volunteers coming together to help veterans, older adults, and families who are recovering from fires or natural disasters by providing critical home repairs at no cost.
This monthlong call to service started in 1973, when volunteers in Texas rebuilt a neighbor’s house and eventually founded the national organization Rebuilding Together.
This Saturday, April 26, volunteers will work across the country to help their fellow residents by providing free home repairs for those in need.
There are many ways local governments and partners like Cloudpermit can support National Rebuilding Day or draw inspiration from the work of volunteers.
Why Safe Housing Matters
Safe, stable housing does more than ensure shelter for residents — it directly and indirectly affects public health, equity, and the quality of life of citizens in your community. Unfortunately, many people with lower incomes, particularly seniors and veterans, are unable to afford these critical home repairs.
Rebuilding Together calculates a social return on investment that measures all gains from its spending on home repairs, not just the direct financial impact, because it greatly reduces the risk of falls and fires, so people can be more independent, cut health care costs, and improve their quality of life.
The organization says the median cost per repair is about $8,000, with a social return on investment of about $22,000 — meaning every dollar spent on these repairs generates a social value of $2.84.
The Power of Community and Local Government Involvement
Many local government professionals are directly involved in housing safety in one way or another. Building and planning departments and code enforcement officers play a critical role in ensuring the safety of their community’s buildings.
But the important work of National Rebuilding Day is all made possible by the volunteers who step up to make these essential home repairs. That’s why municipalities should look for ways to support or encourage local rebuilding events while acknowledging the impact of these community events.
Rebuilding Together’s local affiliates are involved with thousands of home projects each year. If your community doesn’t yet have a local chapter, the organization makes it easy to start one and spread the word.
Municipal officials can promote National Rebuilding Day by recognizing it in council meetings or highlighting inspectors and other city staff who are involved in housing initiatives that help residents live in safer homes.
Every Home Deserves to Be Safe
Safe, livable housing is a foundation for a thriving community, yet many small things cause significant impacts on health if not addressed.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says the quality of housing directly affects mental and physical health. Things like mold, asbestos, lead, or poor air quality cause chronic disease, and homes that are under-insulated or not properly heated and cooled can make people ill.
If a home doesn’t have smoke alarms or carbon monoxide detectors, residents are at a much higher risk of injury or death. Overcrowded housing can lead to food insecurity and faster spread of infectious diseases.
But the agency says there are other design features to consider. Older adults, young children, and those with physical disabilities can be seriously injured if they trip or fall on stairs or in narrow doorways, and even a few steps leading up to the front door can be a serious risk for some people.
Local building codes can help address some of these dangers by requiring landlords to provide basic standards, such as carbon monoxide detectors and reliable heating and cooling.
How Cloudpermit Supports Safe, Efficient Housing Workflows
Online community development software like Cloudpermit supports efficient, safe housing practices by helping municipalities streamline inspections, permitting, code enforcement, planning, and public works.
Even communities with a slim staff or tight budget can keep up with the need for fast, safe development and repairs by automating administrative tasks and improving application times.
It’s more important than ever for local officials to support and pitch in when efforts like National Rebuilding Day are happening in their communities. By embracing the benefits of modern software, cities can be ready to be more responsive to citizens and their needs for safe housing.
Book a demo with us to learn how Cloudpermit can support healthy, safe communities throughout the year.
