Public Policy
Rebuilding Together on Capitol Hill
Rebuilding Together works actively with Members of Congress to talk about important housing issues and inform the members of our most recent projects and mission to preserve affordable homeownership.
Rebuilding Together builds relationships with Federal, State and Local government members to ensure that essential programs and services for low-income homeowners are effective and to display the amazing work we complete in their communities, as well as nationwide.
Rebuilding Together encourages you to get involved. Contact your Member of Congress today and tell them that you support Rebuilding Together's work to preserve affordable homeownership and provide critical repairs to homeowners living at the poverty line. With your help, we can continue to touch the lives of hundreds of thousands of homeowners stuggling to preserve a sustainable and safe house for their families.
Most recently, Rebuilding Together met with Congressman Reid Ribble (WI) to talk about a past Rebuilding Together event and a focus on Veterans Issues. Read the interview below.
Rebuilding Together: Congressman Ribble, you attended a Rebuilding Together project this past June, where our affiliate Rebuilding Together Green Bay partnered with Sears, NRCA and NARI to rebuild local veteran, Edward and his wife Shannon’s, home. What changes and impact did you see Rebuilding Together, Sears, NRCA and NARI make that day, for the veteran and more broadly, the veteran community in Green Bay?
Congressman Reid Ribble: It is heartening to see how the Rebuilding Together team was able to change Edward and Shannon’s life for the better. By making their home handicap accessible, Shannon will be able to get around easier and more importantly will be able to stay in her home. It was a very special day to thank all the volunteers who came out to help Shannon and Edward. The American people are some of the most generous people in the world and this is a prime example of how Americans unselfishly donate their time and resources to those in need.
RT: You are committed to serving veterans upon their return to civilian life. Rebuilding Together has a partnership with Sears, called Heroes at Home, dedicated specifically to veterans, and we will be completing our 1000th Heroes at Home veteran build next week. In your opinion, why is it critical we assist our veterans-in-need, and what role have you seen organizations, like Rebuilding Together, take to help in your mission to assist this population?
CR: Veterans fought for our country and were willing to sacrifice their own lives so that every American can enjoy the freedoms we experience today. We as a nation owe our veterans a tremendous debt of gratitude for their service; the least we can do is help veterans when they return home. I congratulate Rebuilding Together for completing their 1,000th home and providing a way for individuals to help give back on a more personal level than government sometimes can. It is comforting to know that there are organizations to help our veterans and I hope more will follow their example.
RT: Unemployment among post 9-11 veterans peaked at over 13% this past summer. The need for assistance in the veteran community is clearly great. What have you done to help veterans, and what would you urge civilians in the US to do to help their fellow veterans?
CR: I recently voted for the Veterans Opportunity To Work Act, which creates a new, three year employment retraining assistance program for veterans who are unemployed. I was also proud to vote for the Restoring GI Fairness Act which ensures that veterans already enrolled in college receive the assistance they were promised.
Since every community is unique and every veteran has different needs, a one-size-fits-all model does not work best. I would strongly urge civilians to make actual connections with the veterans in their community to truly understand their specific needs. Once a civilian connects with a service member, I would encourage the civilian to find ways to address the individual veteran’s needs, whether it is helping the veteran find work, attain an education, remodel a home, or simply being there for the veteran and his or her family as they adjust to civilian life.
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Rebuilding Together and Congressman Carson. Read his interview. |
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Rebuilding Together and Congressman Turner. Read his interview. |
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Rebuilding Together and Congressman Van Hollen. Read his interview. |
Rebuilding Together's current advocacy on Capitol Hill:
Supporting the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
Rebuilding Together supports the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), a federal formula grant program that is administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which provides flexible funding to state and local governments so communities can address the critical housing needs in their cities and towns. Many Rebuilding Together affiliates receive CDBG funding to support their rehabilitation work in their communities. With this grant as risk during difficult economic times, it is important for Rebuilding Together to advocate for its continued support. Read more.
Funding AmeriCorps
Rebuilding Together supports funding for AmeriCorps as a sound investment in serving the housing needs of our neighbors in communities across the country. We urge all Senators and Representatives to support funding for AmeriCorps in the Fiscal Year 2012 budget. As a non-profit whose core principals are founded on the power of community volunteer work, Rebuilding Together believes AmeriCorps provides a vital partnership with the federal government. The government’s support for the community work of non-profits like Rebuilding Together is critically needed, and legislation funding this critical priority deserves our strong support. Read more.
Energy Efficiency – Green Housing
Rebuilding Together is helping to fill that gap with a “one-stop” solution that adds energy upgrades to a whole house rehab. Most of our projects address the home’s major health, safety and accessibility needs, such as repairing or replacing roofs, plumbing, electrical, windows, stairs, floors and porches, as well as installing grab bars, better lighting, and wheelchair ramps for elderly homeowners. Read more.
Elder Falls Prevention
Rebuilding Together supports full funding of $20.7 million for the Safety of Seniors Act, P.L. 110-202, for the Department of Health and Human Services to carry out research, outreach, and demonstration programs in elder falls prevention. Read more.