JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Florida-based nonprofit organization focused on home repairs and rehabilitation services is expanding its presence to Jacksonville, with a particular emphasis on serving veterans and low-income homeowners.
Rebuilding Together Greater Florida (RTGFL) will launch operations in Jacksonville by June 30, marking a significant expansion of their services, which already cover much of Florida’s central and southwest regions.
“We repair homes, revitalize communities, and rebuild lives,” said George Jose Garcia, CEO of Rebuilding Together Greater Florida. “We want to come and help, and we’re going to stay.”
The organization, which originated as Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay, has already secured funding to assist four veterans in Jacksonville through a partnership with The Home Depot Foundation and Team Depot.
“We help low-income homeowners on residential repairs and rehab services,” Garcia explained. “There is a good number of funders and supporters who also want to help homeowners that are veterans.”
RTGFL’s services range from simple roof replacements to comprehensive improvements, including air conditioning, windows, and doors. The organization has been planning this expansion for two years and is currently in the process of establishing a local office and hiring staff.
“We have to have presence in this community and working with as many people as possible,” Garcia said, emphasizing their commitment to developing partnerships with existing nonprofits in the area. “We do not want to be a threat to those nonprofits; we want to be partners.”
Jacksonville’s significant military and veteran population makes it an ideal location for RTGFL’s services. The organization aims to complement existing support services by focusing on making homes resilient, safe, and healthy for aging residents.
The expansion comes at a crucial time for Jacksonville’s large veteran population. According to Harrison Conyers, Director of the City of Jacksonville’s Military Affairs and Veterans Department, the city is home to an estimated 150,000 veterans, with about 90,000 currently receiving benefits.
“Just last year, our department was able to assist an 84-year-old female Marine who was in danger of losing her home because of rot and painting,” Conyers said. “The City of Jacksonville does services like this, but right now there’s a waiting list... We need agencies to come in here and bring those services to veterans.”
Homeowners seeking assistance can apply through the organization’s website at RTGFL.org. Applications are currently being accepted for the Jacksonville area, and the organization’s intake and assessment team will review all submissions.
The expansion includes plans for a fully staffed office with positions including a project coordinator, construction coordinator, and program manager. The location of the new office will be announced soon.
For more information about Rebuilding Together Greater Florida and its services, visit RTGFL.org.