What We Mean When We Say “Safe and Healthy Housing”

“Safe and healthy housing” can sound abstract. It’s a phrase you hear us use often, but what does it actually mean? At Rebuilding Together, safe and healthy housing isn’t just a catch phrase. It’s about the real lived experiences of who we serve. 

It means a home where you don’t have to worry about falling on the stairs. A kitchen where appliances work safely. A bathroom that’s accessible. A roof that keeps the weather out. Air that’s clean to breathe. Floors that don’t pose a risk and systems that function the way they should.

Safe and healthy housing not only provides protection but also creates opportunities. It’s the difference between aging in place or being forced to relocate. Between managing a chronic condition and having it worsen because of environmental hazards. Between staying connected to your community and becoming isolated because your home no longer meets your needs.

We focus on repairs because repairs are prevention. When homes are maintained, people are more likely to remain stably housed. When hazards are addressed early, health outcomes improve. When accessibility is prioritized, independence is preserved.

This work is especially critical now in 2026. Housing instability is increasing and for many people, the tipping point isn’t the lack of a home, it’s the condition of the one they’re already in. Safe and healthy housing recognizes that stability doesn’t start from scratch. It starts by caring for and maintaining what already exists.

This year, our commitment remains the same: to ensure more people can live in homes that prioritize their health, safety and well-being because everyone deserves a place that allows them not just to live, but to live well.

To learn more about our work, visit our “About Us” page on our website.