Rejuvenate Housing, a nonprofit dedicated to reducing blight and expanding affordable homeownership in the Quad Cities, will open the doors of its fifth fully renovated home in central Davenport.
The Davenport-based organization will host a public open house at the home, at 617 W. 13th St., from 4:30-6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 15. Community members, volunteers, donors, and local leaders are invited to tour the home and learn more about Rejuvenate Housing’s work.
“Our mission is to give vacant houses – and the neighborhoods around them – a second chance,” said Executive Director Ami Porter. “Each project represents more than a construction effort; it’s an investment in people, place, and community pride.”
Rejuvenate Housing has been working to stabilize Quad Cities neighborhoods by acquiring, rehabbing, and reactivating long-vacant homes. To date, it has renovated five homes all in Davenport’s central city neighborhood.
Its fourth project was the largest house the organization took on to date. It was unveiled in July to neighbors, partners and community leaders. The renovated two-story home is at 516 W. 15th St.
Each renovation brings together donors, volunteers, and community partners to advance the vision of safe, stable, and affordable homeownership opportunities, the group said.
“This milestone is a testament to the power of collaboration,” said Gwen Tombergs, the board president. “Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the dedication of volunteers, and the partnership of organizations like the City of Davenport’s Extreme Dream program, the Quad Cities Housing Council, Quad City Bank and Trust, Valley Construction, Home Depot, American Bank, Pear Advertising, and Clark Design and Development, we’ve been able to breathe new life into another home.”
Rejuvenate’s target area, which falls into the City of Davenport’s boundaries for its Extreme program, are from West 13th to West 17th streets and south of Locust Street and east of Gaines Street.
Ms. Tombergs, who co-founded Rejuvenate Housing with the late Don Decker in January 2021, added “Every project strengthens our neighborhoods and opens the door to homeownership for local families.”
Learn more at www.rejuvenatehousing.org or follow @RejuvenateHousing on social media.
“Every completed home is a step toward housing equity,” added Ms. Porter, who joined the organization in January. “We hope our neighbors will join us on October 15th to see what’s possible when we work together.”
To qualify to purchase one of Rejuvenate’s homes, the buyer must occupy the home for at least five years, meet certain guidelines based on family income, make a $1,000 downpayment and complete a post-purchase training class with Rock Island’s GROWTH Corp.
For more information and the income guidelines, visit rejuvenatehousing.org.
