Chicago Heights Houses to Get Free Repairs in April 2020

(Chicago Heights, IL) – For a second year in row, Chicago Heights has been chosen to be a beneficiary community for some structurally or cosmetically-worn homes throughout the city to be repaired for free by volunteers from a leading national non-profit organization, Rebuilding Together, on National Rebuilding Day next April 25, 2020.

“Having Chicago Heights once again adopted by Rebuilding Together as a beneficiary of its generous donors and volunteers is deeply appreciated by our residents and by its mayor,” said Chicago Heights Mayor David Gonzalez. “Personally, I want to thank Rebuilding Together and its volunteers for their willingness to continue to help repair the homes of the residents of our community.”

Rebuilding Together, funded by donations from large corporations, small businesses, and public and private nonprofit organizations, each year harnesses its army of volunteers for its “National Rebuilding Day,” the last Saturday in April, to descend on a community to improve the homes and communities of low-income residents.

In the spring of this year, Gonzalez and Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle welcomed approximately 750 volunteers from Rebuilding Together Metro Chicago to Chicago Heights on April 27.

The volunteers, working in teams of 25-30 people per house, fanned out throughout the city during the day to work on 17 designated homes out of 200 applications submitted to Rebuilding Together by residents. Repairs included renovated floors, bathrooms, and kitchens.
In addition to the 17 home repair projects, an additional seven Chicago Heights homes benefited from the group’s “Safe at Home” modification improvement program that included the installation of smoke alarms, grab bars, etc.

Residents seeking to have their home be eligible for the free repairs next April must submit applications, which are also available at Chicago Heights City Hall, directly to Rebuild Together who makes the home selections. Once a home is selected, Rebuilding Together will assign a team “captain” to work with the homeowner on renovation priorities and budget.

“Rebuilding Together and its team are wonderful to work with,” said Gonzalez. “They are responsive, professional, and thoroughly committed to helping to rebuilding neighborhoods one house at a time. They do a great job in behalf of a municipality."

Since 1991, Rebuilding Together has repaired over 1,600 homes and 250 nonprofit facilities.

davidormsby@davidormsby.com