HomeMy WebLinkAboutCRA-R-16-0061 Rebuilding Together ProposalRebuilding
4 Together.
Miami Dade
Proposal
Rebuilding Together Miami -Dade, Inc.(RTMD) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to
preserve homeownership and revitalize neighborhoods by providing critical home repairs to low-
income, elderly, military veterans, and disabled homeowners at no cost to the homeowners so they may
live independently, safely and with dignity. RTMD believes in a safe and healthy home for every person.
Rebuilding Together Miami is one of 150 affiliates of the largest volunteer organization that preserves
homeownership in the nation.
Founded in 1993, RTMD has rehabbed approximately 655 homes, including 74 military veteran homes,
in Miami -Dade donating 7.3 million dollars of market value work to the community. The average income
for the homeowners RTMD serves is $17,400; the average age is 72 years old, and the average number
of years in the house is 35 years. One hundred percent of the homeowners served are between 80%
and 30% of the HUD Area Median Income. Sixty percent (60%) of the homeowners are disabled. The
ethnic breakdown is 90% African American, 9% Hispanic and 1% Caucasian.
Homeowners in RTMD's target population includes the 18% of Dade County residents who live below
the poverty level; the 58% of Dade County residents who are homeowners and the 14% of residents
who are over the age of 65. Poverty level as defined by HUD guidelines is 30 — 80% of the Area Median
Income which is $48,100 for Miami -Dade County. RTMD works in many areas of Dade County that
exceed those figures. For example, 30% of West Grove residents live below poverty level; 27% of West
Perrine residents live below poverty level; 37% of Naranja residents live below the poverty level; 43 % of
Florida City live below the poverty line. Most of the oldest housing stock in Dade County is in target
areas — Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Areas (NRSA) and Neighborhood Development Zones
(NDZ) which RTMD serves.
Rebuilding Together Miami has twenty-three years of experience of providing year round assistance to
qualified homeowners in Dade County. Attached is a map of the Dade County Districts in which
Rebuilding Together Miami has worked in the last eight years and the number of completed homes in
each district. Most recently the West Perrine CRA, the Naranja CRA and Florida City have provided
funding for Rebuilding Together Miami to complete multiple projects in their respective areas reducing
the social blight of their neighborhood. (See map).
The intake process begins with the homeowners completing a RTMD application. The criteria includes
income that meets HUD guidelines, single family home ownership and disability. RTMD includes
veterans who meet the criteria as well. Candidates are interviewed, the home assessed and scope of
work determined. It is difficult to project a budget for the project without knowing number of homes
and degree of work to be done along with ancillary costs related to working in the CRA district. We
anticipate that the homes will need major rehab work which may cost between $20,000 and $50,000
1
per unit. Our understanding is the Omni CRA will help to identify the homeowners through a
community outreach program
Each home receives significant energy efficiency through sustainable energy components including new
roofs, roof repairs, insulation, weatherization, plumbing and electrical repairs. Homes need repairs to
combat moisture, pests, mold, lead exposure, asthma, allergies and safety issues. Roofs, termites, ADA
bathroom modifications and other home modifications to accommodate disabled homeowners are the
most common repairs that RTMD completes. All RTMD homes receive a Healthy Home Kit which
includes grab bars, non -slip mats, smoke alarms, house numbers, fire extinguishers, levered door
handles, night lights and motion lights. RTMD has adopted a green strategy in all of its rehab projects.
Rebuilding Together Miami has a presence in the community with a history of providing help and
working with community partners to revitalize neighborhoods and reduce social blight. Once the homes
are identified RTMD can implement a program of rehabilitating homes in a timely fashion. RTMD
wishes to preserve the existing affordable housing stock located in the OMNI CRA. The low-income
residents of Miami -Dade are in desperate need of critical home repairs to make their homes healthy,
safe, and dry so they may age in place with dignity.
Submitted by:
Donna Fales
Executive Director, Rebuilding Together Miami
Dfales.rtmiami@gmail.com
305-200-5711
October 11, 2016
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