From a Cooling Crisis to a Safe and Healthy Home

Last August, a referral from Fairfax County’s Senior Cool Care program led us to Ms. S, an extremely low income condo owner facing the peak of summer without air conditioning. Although she had received a portable AC unit through Cool Care, she wasn’t able to install it on her own. That’s when our AC Rescue team stepped in.

When our AC Rescue team arrived, what began as a simple cooling fix quickly revealed a much larger need. Not only was the AC unit not in use, but nearly half of the condo’s electrical outlets weren’t working. After some careful troubleshooting, our team discovered tripped breakers and restored power that same day—bringing immediate relief as we installed the portable AC and cooled the home for the first time in months.

But the challenges didn’t stop there.

At the same time, other serious issues were impossible to miss. The condo had sustained significant damage from a water leak in the unit above—leaving holes in the ceilings, missing baseboards, and carpeting pulled up in an attempt to dry it out. It was clear Ms. S needed more than a quick AC unit install; she needed a safe and healthy home.

Our RT Express team quickly mobilized, assessing the home and developing a comprehensive plan. Over the following weeks, 12 volunteers worked together for 124 hours to transform the condo—patching and painting ceilings, repairing plumbing, and restoring functionality to the kitchen with a new garbage disposal, dishwasher, microwave, and lighting. In the bathroom, grab bars were installed for safety, while damaged flooring in the entryway was replaced and LED bulbs were installed in all light fixtures. Carpeting was refastened, and new baseboards brought the space back together.

Meanwhile, our AC Rescue program brought in a contractor to evaluate the central air system, which was ultimately deemed too old to repair. By combining available funding sources, we were able to take the unusual step of replacing the exterior unit entirely—ensuring Ms. S now has reliable, whole-condo cooling in time for the summer ahead.

In total, our volunteers resolved 10 critical health and safety issues, bringing Ms. S’s home into alignment with all 25 of Rebuilding Together’s Health and Safety Priorities.

What began as a call for help with a single air conditioner became a comprehensive effort to restore a safe, healthy, and comfortable home—with critical cooling support ensuring Ms. S is also protected from heat-related illness.

Thanks to your support, her home is now a place of safety and stability—and with summer around the corner, she can stay cool, secure, and at ease.