How Rebuilding Together Sandoval County Helped a Resident Remain Safely at Home

For Grace Nez, home is where generations connect. She has lived in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, for more than 20 years, sharing her home and her heritage with her grandson. A Native American woman, Grace speaks Navajo and is actively teaching the language to him, ensuring that culture and tradition continue to live on within their walls.

In recent years, the home Grace depended on no longer provided the safety or comfort she deserved. A broken front window made it difficult to keep her house warm. To block out the cold, Grace relied on makeshift solutions, stuffing the opening with bathroom rugs and sealing it with tape. Inside, she had to use a standalone heater to keep her bedroom warm, causing the electricity bills to climb.

Mobility and visibility were also daily challenges. Without a handrail on the porch, entering and exiting the home felt risky. Electrical issues left the dining area and bathroom without working lights, making routine tasks like cooking, moving through the home and getting ready for the day more stressful and unsafe. Living on a fixed income, these repairs felt simply out of reach.

Rebuilding Together Sandoval County stepped in to address these essential needs. A new handrail was installed on the porch, giving Grace the stability and confidence to safely come and go. Electrical repairs restored lighting in the dining area and bathroom, allowing her to clearly see and safely complete everyday activities. These updates may seem small, but for Grace, they’ve been life-changing. Her home is easier to navigate, safer to live in and more supportive of her independence. Thanks to Rebuilding Together Sandoval County, Grace can continue living in her home without fear of injury, excessive utility costs or unsafe conditions.