A recent paper released by Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies revealed that those served by Rebuilding Together, a national nonprofit that rehabilitates homes for low-income homeowners, saw significant improvements in home safety, health, accessibility and energy use.

“Looking at some key demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of homeowners served by Rebuilding Together, it is clear that this organization serves a distinct homeowner population, one who would not otherwise be able to undertake much in the way of home improvement and repair,” said Kermit Baker, director of the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies.

The Harvard study discovered that nonprofit organizations, such as Rebuilding Together, are going to great lengths to make homes safer, healthier, more energy efficient and generally more accessible for disadvantaged households.

It is these organizations that are preserving affordable housing options in highly distressed neighborhoods.