Building Hope Together

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 of South Texas under their Prosperemos Juntos Thriving Together program. The coalition was created to address pressing community issues in District 5, and it began by listening to seniors at House of Neighborly Service. When asked what they needed most, their answer was simple home repairs.

In its first year, Building Hope Together repaired 20 homes. In 2024, that number grew to 34 homes, and in 2025, 22 more homes were repaired. Many of the homes in District 5 were built in the 1920s, and aging structures often require essential safety updates. Some repairs were minor, such as replacing a leaky faucet or toilet, installing a light switch, patching holes in floors or walls, or replacing locks. Other projects were larger and focused on safety and accessibility, including building wooden wheelchair ramps, installing walk-in showers, adding grab bars and handrails, and improving exterior security lighting. For seniors living on fixed incomes, even small repairs can be financially overwhelming, yet these improvements make the difference between remaining safely at home or facing displacement.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries provided funding during 2023, 2024, and 2025. In 2026, Building Hope Together became an independent nonprofit organization and began raising funds on its own. Methodist Healthcare Ministries also offered a sustainability plan that will partially fund the organization for four additional years, ensuring continued 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. Individuals with disabilities are prioritized. A project manager conducts a detailed home assessment, examining bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, walkways, entrances, and security lighting to determine which repairs are most urgent for safety and livability. The team then collectively 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.