For more than 33 years, Ms. Jacqueline Smith has lived in her Crosby home that was built in 1960. As a single mother, she raised three children on her own when her husband left her many years ago. Ms. Smith describes herself as a good listener and an upbeat ‘people person’ who loves to cook and drive. She remains optimistic and hopeful, despite her son’s death in 2017. Due to persistent medical challenges and resulting financial instability, Ms. Smith has struggled to make consistent repairs and upgrades to her aging home. A neighbor told her about Rebuilding Together Houston.

Utilizing funds received through the USDA Rural Development Housing Preservation Grant, Rebuilding Together Houston transformed her home by completing critical health and safety upgrades. The roof was replaced. They upgraded the home’s electrical panel, replaced kitchen cabinets and installed an ADA accessible commode. Using funds from Harris Methodist Hospital, her tub was converted to a low curb showing.

The work didn’t stop there. Rebuilding Together Houston was also able to replace flooring, patch sheetrock from prior roof leaks, and repair much of the plumbing in and under the house. Christine Holland, CEO of Rebuilding Together Houston, stated “After learning that Ms. Smith had no hot water for many months, we installed a new water heater.”

Rebuilding Together Houston have a great network of partners. CenterPoint Energy’s crew of volunteers put the finishing touches on her home by repainting it and building a ramp for easier accessibility. They also funded the rebuilding of her carport, as they felt it was unstable. Through RTH’s partnership with CenterPoint Energy’s Agencies in Action program, her home was completely weatherized, allowing her to be more comfortable in her home and reducing her energy costs. 

Ms. Smith is extremely thankful for her much-improved home, and she is grateful for the team who worked tirelessly to make her home safer and resilient for many years to come.