Building Hope Together – Home Repair Assistance for San Antonio Seniors

Building Hope Together is a San Antonio nonprofit helping older adults remain safely and independently in their homes through minor home repairs, accessibility improvements, safety modifications and housing stability services. The program serves economically challenged older adults living in San Antonio City Council District 5 who may have difficulty paying for repairs needed to keep their homes safe, secure and livable.


Home safety and accessibility improvements may include wheelchair ramps, handrails, steps, grab bars, tub-to-walk-in-shower conversions, door and window locks, security lighting and peepholes. Building Hope Together also provides minor home repairs such as window and door replacement, leaking faucet, sink and toilet repairs, minor electrical repairs, switches, outlets and other improvements that address safety and housing concerns.

   Safety & Security

  • Ramps
  • Handrails
  • Steps
  • Grab bars
  • Tub to walk-in-shower conversions
  • Climate control for one room in the home.
  • Locks for doors and windows
  • Security lights
  • Peepholes in doors

  Minor Home Repairs

  • Window and door replacements
  • Minor plumbing repairs like faucets, sinks, and toilet leaks.
  • Minor electrical repairs like new switches or outlets and replacing light bulbs.
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  Legal Services

  • Clear home titles
  • Wills and Transfer on Death Deeds
  • Homestead tax exemptions
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Building Hope Together

2802 W. Salinas

San Antonio, TX 78207

Info@BuildingHopeTogether.org

(210) 343-1650


Map shows Service Area is all of District 5

click map to enlarge area

Our Community Team

Building Hope Together was formed in 2023 as a coalition of House of Neighborly Service, Divine Redeemer Presbyterian Church, and San Antonio Time Dollar through an initiative of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. The coalition was created to address community issues in District 5. When seniors were asked what they needed most, their answer was simple: Home Repairs. In its first year, Building Hope Together repaired 20 homes. In 2024, 34 homes, and in 2025, 22 more homes were repaired.


Many of the homes were built in the 1920s, and aging structures often require essential safety updates. Some repairs were minor; a leaky faucet or toilet, a light switch, holes in floors or walls. Larger projects focused on building wheelchair ramps, walk-in showers, grab bars & handrails, and exterior security lighting. For seniors on fixed incomes, even small repairs can be financially overwhelming, yet these improvements make the difference between remaining at home or facing displacement.


Methodist Healthcare Ministries provided funding for 2023, 2024, and 2025. In 2026, Building Hope Together became a nonprofit and began raising funds on its own. Methodist Healthcare Ministries offered a sustainability plan that will partially fund for four additional years, ensuring stability as it grows its community partnerships and donor base.

For many seniors, their home is their only significant asset. Building Hope Together recognizes this and offers Transfer on Death Deed services, so homeowners can legally transfer ownership to loved ones after they pass. The organization also assists with Homestead Tax Exemptions, including Over-65 exemptions, helping reduce the financial burden on aging homeowners.


To qualify for assistance, seniors must be 60 years or older, own and live in their home, reside in District 5, and have a household income at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income. A project manager conducts a detailed home assessment to determine which repairs are most urgent for safety and livability. The team then decides which improvements are most critical and obtains contractor estimates. Projects can range from $200 to as much as $12,000, depending on the scope of work required.

One powerful example of this work occurred in 2024 when Building Hope Together assisted a woman in her mid-70s who was undergoing chemotherapy. Her home’s foundation was in poor condition, and she had no running water. Because of plumbing problems, she had shut off the main water valve and relied on filling buckets whenever she needed water. She kept a 13-gallon trash bin inside her bathtub, filling it manually to bathe, flush the toilet, and wash dishes. Further inspection revealed that she also did not have a functioning water heater. What began as a home assessment turned into a life-changing restoration project. The organization installed a new water heater and ran new gas lines so it could operate properly, restoring reliable running water and basic comfort to her home.


Building Hope Together is preserving dignity, stability, and independence for seniors who wish to age safely in place. For more information or to donate, call (210) 343-1650 or visit www.sa-compassion.com/building-hope-together.

Joe Alfaro

Building Hope Together Helps Community Members Build Digital and Financial Skills


Joe Alfaro, a military veteran and program coordinator for Building Hope Together, is helping community members strengthen their digital skills and prepare for today’s changing workforce. The organization offers courses covering Microsoft Word, Google Workspace, Canva and other digital tools.


Building Hope Together also provides financial literacy courses that teach participants practical ways to budget and save money. The courses are open to anyone interested in improving their financial knowledge.


Joe teaches participants how to use artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude. Students learn how AI can help them create spreadsheets, improve reports and strengthen their writing for work or school. They also learn how to write effective AI prompts and how to protect their privacy by avoiding the use of sensitive personal information.

“In today’s workforce, people need to understand how AI works and how to incorporate it into their jobs,” Joe said. Building Hope Together provides tablets so students can gain hands-on experience. Participants may also use their own laptop or smartphone. The courses also introduce students to Canva’s AI features. Joe teaches participants how to create presentations, flyers and other materials for their workplace, church or nonprofit. In one lesson, he showed a hospital employee how to design slides for a digital flipbook. She was impressed by how quickly the technology helped bring her ideas to life.


Building Hope Together partners with Opportunity Home San Antonio through its Family Self-Sufficiency program. Participating residents take the online courses, including financial literacy, and receive a certificate upon completion. Joe said Building Hope Together hopes to serve 100 participants who want to improve themselves and expand their abilities. “They just need to be open to learning, willing to embrace new technology and ready to take their skills to the next level,” Joe said.


Joe has also used AI in his own creative work. He has written three books—Operation Firebird, Operation Phoenix and Operation Sinaloa—and used AI to help create artwork and promotional video clips. His books are available on Amazon, click here.