RHP announces "Shingled Out" initiative; public's help is needed

Youth volunteers working on a handicapped ramp for RHP last fall. Photo contributed.

Rutherford Housing Partnership (RHP) is beginning a new initiative, Shingled Out, in 2021 in an effort to help more homeowners in Rutherford County.

According to Mel Ailiff, executive director of RHP, there are many families on the waiting list for roof repairs or replacements.

Ailiff is calling on the public to help with the new project. The average cost of a roof is $6,00 but the average monthly income for a family of 4 that RHP helps is less than $1,800.

Even donating $6 or $6,000 will help ensure that families throughout Rutherford County can live in dignity and safety and have hope restored as RHP works to address the critical home repairs, Ailiff said.

Thus far in 2020, RHP has assisted 82 senior adults and 101 other families with urgent housing repair needs.

Of the families assisted this year, 44 percent made less than 30 percent of the area median income. That means for a family of four, the family made less than $21,000.

According to the latest statistics, the poverty rate in Rutherford County is 18 percent, that's 11,975 people in Rutherford County living in poverty.

Make contributions to Rutherford Housing Partnership, P.O. Box 1525, Rutherfordton, NC 28139 or for more information on how to help, call 828-248-3431.