Frequently Asked Questions

Our Mission is to help qualified, low-income homeowners who are physically or financially challenged to maintain their residence by providing free home repairs through teams of volunteers.

HomeFront Day is held the first Saturday in May annually.

HomeFront has been assisting neighbors in need since 1988.

The goal of HomeFront is to provide free home repairs for homes and community centers focusing on the neediest circumstances. Our program staff and volunteers work hand-in-hand with homeowners to provide those repairs that will be the most meaningful to them and have the greatest impact on their quality of life. Repairs may include carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, roofing, drywall, weatherproofing, window and door replacement, wheel chair ramps, installation of smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, painting, cleaning, and yard work.

Throughout the years, the Homefront program has operated in close to 150 communities in Fairfield, Hartford, Litchfield and New Haven Counties in CT, and Westchester County in NY. We work wherever willing teams of volunteers exist within these Counties.

Each year thousands of volunteers provide free home repairs to single-family homes and community centers. Multi-family homes also may be eligible. The total annual income of the household is HomeFront’s primary guideline. Condominiums, co-ops and mobile homes are not eligible for this program.

HomeFront considers homeowners with annual household incomes of $35,000 or less.

An applicant must own and live in the home, cannot own another property, must be up-to-date on taxes and must plan to remain in the home for at least 5 years after the free home repairs are provided.

Applications are accepted year-round. To be considered for assistance during the upcoming spring, requests must be received by November 30 of each year.

Community organizations, particularly those serving the sick and seniors, social service agencies, faith-based and civic organizations and others within the community provide referrals. The media helps by providing publicity and public service announcements. Libraries and senior centers help by displaying brochures and posters. Family, friends and relatives provide word-of-mouth referrals, and homeowners also call our headquarters in Stamford directly.

Applications are received, recorded and reviewed. In the fall and winter months, homeowners are contacted to arrange an on-site interview. If there is any change in either homeowner status or contact information (i.e., phone number, mailing address) between the time application is made and the months of September and January, applicants should call the toll-free office number to let us know.

HomeFront reviews nearly 500 applications each year. Applicants are considered on the basis of need, skills and number of teams available, and the funds required to support each project.

In the Stamford telephone exchange, that would be 203.658.9500.

AmeriCares HomeFront, 88 Hamilton Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902

The primary way in which neighbors participate in HomeFront is by forming a group of volunteers, or a "team." Volunteers come from all walks of life in a true vertical slice of our neighborhoods. Home repair skills are helpful, but not essential. Youth are welcome too! Young adults, ages 14–17, can work with adult supervision according to a three-to-one adult-to-youth ratio.
Most volunteers are affiliated with a sponsoring organization.
To volunteer your individual services to a team that needs an extra pair of hands, email HomeFront or call our toll-free number, 1.800.887.4673 (HOPE).

Community-minded corporations, businesses, faith-based groups and civic organizations who have an interest in helping deserving homeowners with essential repairs generally form teams once interest and leadership are identified.

There are team volunteer opportunities for 15 to 40 members, although some teams are larger.

Free training is provided for team leaders by the HomeFront staff. It consists of one, two-hour session, typically held each February in venues throughout our coverage area. The training covers best practices for a smooth HomeFront experience.

$7,000, only a portion of which is paid by the teams.

$7,000, only a portion of which is paid by the teams.