RESOURCE GUIDE

Because of our limited resources, RTP is not able to help all of the homeowners that apply for our program each year. This Resource Guide has contact information for other local agencies that may be able to help.

Watch a Homeowner's Story.

The U.S. census indicates that there are more than 50,000 low-income homeowners in Philadelphia.  Many live in homes that were built more than 70 years ago.  Simple repair problems (left unattended due to lack of resources) escalate into larger problems that expose homeowners and their families to health and safety risks.

CRITERIA

• All applicants must be homeowners living in their own homes.
• All applicants must be low-income, according to HUD standards. 
• Priority is given to homeowners who are older adults, disabled, living with children or veterans.
• While we consider applications from all Philadelphia homeowners, we help only a limited number of homeowners outside designated Block Build areas throughout the year. Our focus for spring 2010 will be in in Walnut Hill (19139) and Germantown (19144). Download the application here. Community leaders can help bring RTP to your neighborhood for a Block Build by completing this "Target Community Application."

HOW IT WORKS

Through an open application process, hundreds of homeowners are screened by volunteers who:

1. Interview applicants to make the final selections.
2. Set the scope of repairs.
3. Match homeowners with teams of general and skilled volunteers.
4. Work in March and April on the identified home repairs.

All repairs are done free of charge to the homeowners.  Homeowners and their families fully participate in the repair process, as they are able.

Download an application.

2009-10 HOMEOWNER STATISTICS

RTP volunteers helped 74 homeowners with the following characteristics:

• 100% have a low, very low, or extremely low annual income
• 72% are women who are the sole provider for their household
• 46% have children under 18 living with them (78 children total)
• 32% live alone
• 27% are 65 years old, or older
• 19% have a physical disability or medical hardship

Through four major Block Builds (2 in Walnut Hill, 2 in Germantown) as well as other projects, RTP volunteers will have the following reach (through June 2010):

Homeowners

Community Facilities

Parks and Lots

     North/Northeast Phila.

4

1

0

     West Philadelphia

30

1

5

     Germantown/Mt. Airy

38

1

1

     Montgomery County

1

1

0

     Gloucester County, NJ

1

0

0

  Totals

74

4

6