FAQs

How do I apply for help?
There are three ways to get an application. You can call our office at 615-297-3955 and request one be mailed to you. You can e-mail us at rtnashville@gmail.com and request an application be mailed or e-mailed to you. You can visit our website at www.rebuildingtogethernashville.org and click on the ‘For Homeowners’ tab for general repairs or the ‘Flood Recovery’ tab for flood repairs.

What are your criteria?
Our Board of Directors emphasize that each homeowner is to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Each homeowner’s story and needs are different and they will take that into consideration; however, there are a few criteria that you must meet. You MUST own your home; we are not able to serve rental properties. We serve single-site built structures, because of legal issues we are not able to work on condos or manufactured housing. * All property taxes need to be up to date on the home as well.

*Please note that River Plantation condos CAN be served ONLY in flood recovery due to a plan we worked out with the individual section Homeowner Associations.

What areas do you serve?
We serve Cannon, Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Montgomery, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Trousdale, Williamson and Wilson counties.

What is the deadline for applying?
We accept applications year-round. Applications received on or before October 1, 2011 will be considered for National Rebuilding Day in the spring of 2012. All Energy-Efficiency, Safe at Home and Flood Recovery applications are considered on a year-round basis as funding allows.

What is the application process?
First, you need to fill out either the flood recovery application (May 1-5, 2010 damage) or the general repair application. Please fill it out as completely as you can. You will then receive a phone call from our office letting you know we have received the application and to follow-up on any questions we may have about your application. A staff member will then work to schedule a home inspection of your home. Once the home inspection is completed, you will be entered into our active database. Our ability to help is based on the funding we receive through grants, local business sponsors and individual donors. Once our Board of Directors has made a decision on the homes and the funding we will contact you.

What programs do you have?
We currently have four programs – National Rebuilding Day, GREEN Together (energy-efficiency), Flood Recovery and Safe at Home Programs.

National Rebuilding Day occurs each spring and addresses general repair and home modification needs of low-income homeowners within our service area. Our GREEN Together program provides energy-efficiency upgrades to provide energy-savings. The Flood Recovery program addresses flood damage that occurred May 1-5, 2010. The Safe at Home program helps with ramps and home modifications for elderly, disabled and handicapped.

Is filling out the application a guarantee that I will receive help?
No, filling out an application is not a guarantee that you will receive help. Filling out an application means that you will be on the list that our Board of Directors reviews when funding becomes available.

Why do you have to inspect my home?
We have to inspect your home so that we know what the work scope is. This ensures that we match the correct funding sources with a realistic work scope. Our Board of Directors cannot make a decision without a work scope to review.

How will I know if I am selected?
If your home is selected you will receive an acceptance letter in the mail along with a contract that will need to be signed and returned to the Rebuilding Together Nashville office before any work can begin. You will also receive a phone call inviting you to our Homeowner’s Orientation meeting. This meeting is mandatory. It will outline materials and expectations for the build day.

Am I required to work and put in sweat equity if chosen?
You are not required, but highly encouraged, to work with the volunteers on the build day. Many of our homeowners are elderly or disabled though and we understand that this isn’t always possible. If so, we encourage you to be on site and talking with volunteers. We also encourage any able-bodied family members to work with us.

Can I specify the materials you will use on my home?
Because we are a non-profit, we have standard materials that we typically use on every build. At homeowner orientation, we will review the material board showing the material options we offer. You will then have the opportunity to accept or reject the materials for use in your home. If a portion of the work has been done, we will typically try to match the existing material budget permitting.

Does your work cost anything?
No. A homeowner will never be asked to pay money to our organization to get repairs done.

How do I volunteer?
You can call our office at (615) 297-3955 and ask for John OR you can e-mail us at rtnashville@gmail.com with ‘Volunteer’ in the subject line.

Someone took pictures during the build day. Where can I find those?
Our photos are located on our website www.rebuildingtogethernashville.org in the Gallery section. We also post some photos on our Facebook page. We encourage you to post build day photos on our page as well!

What if I can’t volunteer for construction is there another way I can help?
Of course! We always need help. We need ‘safety coordinators’ and ‘hospitality coordinators’ as well on job sites. Hospitality coordinators are our friendly faces and helpful hands ensuring that our volunteers have access to the water, lunch, coffee and snacks we provide. You ensure that all our waivers are signed and thank you notes are written. Safety coordinators are our eyes and ears making sure everyone is taking appropriate safety precautions (i.e. safety googles when using power tools) and that tools and materials are not a hazard on the job site.

Can I volunteer in other ways besides on a build site?
Yes! We have committees that help our office year round and use all kinds of talents that don’t necessarily have to do with construction.

What committees can I serve on?
We currently have three committees that help our office plan for the year. The Fundraising and Finance Committee help us raise money about our mission and cause. The AMP (Advocacy, Marketing and Public Relations) Committee helps us plan events and get our name out there to prospective clients and sponsors. The Construction Resources Committee helps us identify skilled house captains, train hospitality coordinators and get products donated to help us out on build day.

How can I sign up to serve on a committee?
If you are interested in serving on a committee, please contact our office at (615) 297-3955 or send us an e-mail at rtnashville@gmail.com with “Committee” in the subject line. We can then pass your information to the correct board member to contact you.