Rebuilding Together New Orleans will launch an online status tool Sept. 9 that allows homeowners waiting for free, critical repairs to check their application progress without calling the nonprofit’s offices.
What the tool does
The new portal plugs directly into Rebuilding Together New Orleans’ existing Salesforce case-management system, giving applicants status updates when they enter a property address and date of birth on the organization’s website. The integration was developed by New Orleans-based technology group Civilized, according to information provided by the nonprofit.
RTNO provides repairs such as roof replacements, electrical work, accessibility modifications and weatherization, primarily for low-income homeowners, many of whom are older adults or people with disabilities. Demand for the program has outpaced capacity, and the organization receives about 880 applications a year.
Why the change matters locally
Staffers at the nonprofit have been fielding an estimated 30 to 50 status calls every day, many from applicants seeking updates on where they are in the queue. The new system is intended to reduce that volume so staff can spend more time processing applications, collecting necessary documentation and scheduling inspections.
- Launch date: Sept. 9
- How to check: Enter property address and date of birth on RTNO’s website
- Annual applications: About 880
RTNO said some homeowners currently wait 12 to 18 months for repairs, and the group set a record in 2025 by serving 257 households while its waiting list continued to grow.
"Due to demand, our homeowners wait too long for help," RTNO Executive Director William Stoudt said. "While they wait, they often become impatient, dejected, or disappointed that we might not be able to assist. Now our families can check in on their status and get answers immediately."
By providing immediate access to case status, RTNO officials say the tool will help manage expectations and reduce the emotional toll on homeowners who have been waiting for repairs that can affect safety and daily living. The organization has emphasized that the portal is not intended to change who receives service but to improve transparency and communications.
Operational context and limitations
RTNO’s record service year in 2025 — 257 households helped — demonstrates both the nonprofit’s capacity and the unmet need in New Orleans neighborhoods. The organization did not say the new portal would shorten the 12- to 18-month timeframe for some applicants, only that it would make status information more readily available.
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Annual applications | ~880 |
| Households served in 2025 | 257 |
| Estimated daily status calls | 30–50 |
| Typical wait time | 12–18 months |
Leaders at Rebuilding Together New Orleans say freeing staff from routine status questions should let employees redirect time toward application intake, verification of documents, inspections and coordinating contractors. The nonprofit did not offer a timeline for additional staffing or funding that would allow it to shorten the current waiting list.
For homeowners and advocates in New Orleans, the new portal represents a step toward greater transparency in a program that addresses basic housing safety and accessibility. Residents can look for the status-check link on RTNO’s website starting Sept. 9 and will need to provide the required identifying information to view their case details.
This report will be updated if Rebuilding Together New Orleans provides additional details about features, privacy safeguards or plans to expand capacity.
