Harambee Tuckpointing Assistance Program

Funder: River City Community Development Center / Harambee Citybuilders

Geographic Scope: Chicago, IL

Focus Areas: Subsidized home repair assistance for low-income homeowners; youth workforce training component

The Harambee Tuckpointing Assistance Program provides subsidized tuckpointing services (replacement of mortar between bricks) to eligible low-income homeowners in Chicago. Work is performed by youth apprentices in the Harambee Citybuilders program, combining home repair assistance with youth job training and skill development.

What is Tuckpointing?

The replacement of mortar between bricks on residential properties.

Homeowner Eligibility Requirements

• Must own your home (home ownership verification required)
• Must live in Chicago, IL
• Income verification may be required - applicants may need to submit copy of most recent tax returns

Service Scope

Youth training crews can provide various tuckpointing services based on property assessment; services determined during estimate visit.

Application and Timeline

Application Process:

1. Submit Tuckpointing Assistance Application (accepted on rolling basis, year-round)
2. Verify eligibility based on home ownership and location
3. Contact homeowner to schedule estimate visit
4. Conduct estimate to:
   • Provide detailed information about services available
   • Assess tuckpointing needs of property
   • Verify household income if not already submitted
5. Home selected for project on rolling basis as next crew is lined up

Important Notes:

• Completing application does NOT guarantee home will be selected
• Selection is competitive; rolling basis based on crew availability
• Homeowners must notify if changes occur to application or home condition

Contact Information

Harambee Coordinator: Lance Harris

Organization Address: 3709 West Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL 60651

Additional Information

• Participating homeowners enter into a homeowner's agreement as part of application
• Estimates conducted on rolling basis when crews are ready for next project
• Program runs alongside Citybuilders Apprenticeship Program, providing paid volunteer opportunities for youth ages 12-18

Application Process

1. Submit Application
   • Complete Tuckpointing Assistance Application
   • Applications accepted year-round on rolling basis
   • Available online at rcitycdc.org
2. Eligibility Verification
   • R CITY verifies home ownership using information provided on application
   • May contact applicant for clarification if needed
   • May request copy of most recent tax returns for household income verification
3. Estimate Visit
   • If eligible, contacted to schedule estimate visit
   • Visits conducted on rolling basis when crew is ready to line up next project
   • During visit:
   • Detailed information provided about services youth crews can provide
   • Tuckpointing needs of property assessed
   • Household income verified if not already submitted
4. Project Selection
   • Home placed in queue for selection on rolling basis
   • Selection depends on crew availability
   • Completion not guaranteed

Application Requirements

Specific form fields not detailed in website content. Contact Harambee Coordinator for full list of required information:

Key Information Likely Required:

• Homeowner name and contact information
• Property address
• Proof of home ownership
• Household income information (or copy of tax returns)
• Description of tuckpointing needs

Homeowner Agreement

• Applicants must agree to homeowner's agreement as part of application
• Agreement terms included in application document

Important Notes

• Completing application does NOT guarantee home selection
• Applicants must notify of any changes to application or home condition
• Contact with questions: tuckpointing@rcitycdc.org