Rebuilding Together

James Ritenour, who suffers from hearing loss, has shared his home with his aging mother since 2014. Because of their limited incomes from SSDI and Social Security, they struggled to address the home repairs that had piled up over the years. James learned about the Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh program with ACTION housing through a family friend and reached out.

Rebuilding Together focuses on rebuilding homes for low-income individuals, prioritizing seniors, veterans and persons like James who have disabilities. The Ritenour family faced several home issues, including dangerously unstable back porch railings, leaky windows and deteriorating gutters. There were also challenges related to basic daily activities, particularly in the bathroom, which didn’t meet Ms. Ritenour’s evolving physical needs.

With a combination of United Way funds and additional support from Columbia Gas, Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh stepped in. They replaced the unstable railings on both the front and back porches, upgraded the exterior steps, installed new windows and a secure front door, fixed the gutters and downspouts and installed an accessible walk-in shower. These renovations ensured that James and his mother could navigate their home safely and comfortably.

The Ritenour family was thrilled with the transformation, feeling a newfound sense of security and peace in their home thanks to the assistance of Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh and their supporters.