Charlotte Nonprofit Kicks Off ‘Home Sick’ Program To Improve Health Through Home Repairs

A Charlotte-based group launched Home Sick, fixing houses to prevent medical problems linked to poor living spaces. Workers address a range of issues, from air quality concerns to mobility challenges, in aging homes.

"Our program is really about people who just want to be able to stay in their community, in their home, and maintain that when it's increasingly out of reach financially, particularly with higher property taxes," said Beth Morrison, executive director of Rebuilding Together Greater Charlotte, to The Charlotte Post.

Most clients are Black women past 60, with yearly earnings near $30,000. Typical fixes cost $25,000: far more than most can afford.

Staff inspect pre-1978 buildings for risks, which often contain lead paint and asbestos. Broken heating and cooling units, costing $10,000 to swap out, pose special risks to kids and expectant mothers.

Research shows bad home conditions trigger 40% of childhood asthma cases. The team installs vinyl floors, replacing old carpet that traps dust and triggers breathing problems.

For older residents, they add safe features like step-in showers and support rails. "Just think about wanting to bathe yourself independently," Morrison said. "Many people can't do that without a costly home health aide, or a family member having to help them physically get in and out of the bathtub."

As licensed contractors with EPA approval, they work with major partners. Bank of America, Home Depot, LG, Foundation for the Carolinas, and local government all pitch in.

Starting soon: basic upkeep classes. These will teach owners to spot issues before they become costly fixes.

Hampshire Hills and Eastwood Acres residents can now apply. Morrison points out the math: "We could repair maybe 10 to 15 homes for the price of building a new home, and that's for major repairs."

Next steps include finding ways to fix rentals without rewarding bad landlords. The goal: keep families in homes passed down through generations, stopping them from ending up on the streets.