From despair to renewal: Repairing homes, rebuilding lives

“For years, I had no usable kitchen. The stove was broken, the countertop crumbled, and we had no running water. I washed dishes in a bucket and couldn’t cook proper meals for my children.  Now, with a real kitchen, I feel like a mother again. I can finally take care of my family with dignity.”  — Single mother of three young children, Ashkelon

Across Israel, tens of thousands of people live in homes that are simply unbearable. Cracked walls, exposed wiring, mold, broken plumbing, and no hot water are not rare exceptions—they are the daily reality for thousands of elderly individuals, immigrants, Holocaust survivors, single parents, and people with disabilities.

Some shower in the cold in the dead of winter. Others carry buckets to flush broken toilets. Toddlers are exposed to live electrical wires. Parents feed their families with meals cooked on broken stoves, dishes washed in makeshift sinks. These are not just substandard homes—they are spaces of danger, shame, and isolation.  With no financial safety net—and no government program to assist low-income homeowners—many wait for years, only to lose hope of ever living in a safe, functional home.

Tenufa Bakehila – Building Hope steps in where no one else does—repairing homes and restoring lives, one family at a time.

As the only nonprofit in Israel providing large-scale, urgent and essential home repairs, Tenufa Bakehila operates in 20 cities across the country. Its 28 professional repair workers, together with trained social workers, repair and rehabilitate homes entirely free of charge for struggling families.

Through its repair work, Tenufa is restoring lives—helping people reclaim their dignity, safety, and dreams of a better future.

 “When a child no longer has to hide where they live… when an elderly person can shower in dignity… when a Holocaust survivor stops choosing between food or repairs—that’s what rebuilding hope looks like,” says Gabi Nachmani, Founder and Executive Director. 

Since its founding 30 years ago, Tenufa has repaired over 8,000 homes, transforming the living conditions—and futures—of thousands of Israelis.

Tena, an Ethiopian-Israeli single mother of six, lived for 12 years in a deteriorating apartment: without beds, no hot water, and with moldy walls, and bags of clothes stacked in every corner.   “Watching my children live in shame, my heart broke for them every day,” she said, 

When Tenufa’s team arrived, they rebuilt the bathroom, treated the walls, installed hot water, and provided new beds and closets. Tenufa's social worker helped Tena access her rights, get food support, and begin planning for a stable future.

“You didn’t just fix my home,” she told the work team. “You saved our lives.”

Tena’s family is just one of thousands transformed—not just by what Tenufa repairs, but by what it restores: dignity, safety, and the courage to move forward."

What truly sets Tenufa Bakehila apart is the heart of its workers. Many of Tenufa’s skilled repair professionals have experienced housing poverty themselves—they know what it means to live without basics, to carry the quiet shame of a broken home.

“When I walk into a home, I recognize the look in the children’s eyes—fear, embarrassment, the instinct to hide,” says Daniel, one of Tenufa’s professional team members. “I grew up that way. That’s why I do this work— to show them that someone sees them and cares, and that their lives will get better.”

Tenufa's teams are not just repair workers. They are men on a mission—restoring walls, dignity, and hope, one home at a time.

Tenufa Bakehila has been commended by Israel’s Ministries of Health and Welfare, by municipal social service departments, and by Israel’s Building and Construction Association for its unique social impact. The organization has received awards from municipalities across the country and commendations from both current and past Presidents of Israel. 

Tenufa has tripled their annual success rate in the past 7 years—from 230 to 700+ families every year.  With a waiting list and a plan to end housing poverty for thousands of families still awaiting help, Tenufa has increased its budget to 7,000,000 NIS per year.

Since the outbreak of war in Israel, the need has escalated dramatically. Families are being displaced, and housing poverty is deepening. Referrals from welfare departments are streaming in—and Tenufa is answering the call.

Tenufa's goal is ambitious: to end housing poverty in Israel—once and for all.  

In several communities, Tenufa has already achieved this milestone, and the organization is determined to scale its impact nationwide.

In the coming years, Tenufa plans to expand into two additional cities—requiring hiring and training new teams, and purchasing vehicles to reaching hundreds more families in need.  Our goal for the coming year:  repairing 700 dilapidated homes across the country.

Every person deserves to live in safety and with dignity.
This is not just Tenufa’s mission—it is our shared responsibility.

Tenufa Bakehila relies entirely on donor support. Every contribution goes directly toward repairing unsafe homes and restoring hope for families who have waited far too long for help.

Supporting Tenufa doesn’t just fix homes. It rebuilds lives.

Visit www.tenufa.org to donate and take part in our mission.
Together, we can end housing poverty in Israel—one home, one family at a time.

For more information: Tenufa Bakehila

This article was written in cooperation with Tenufa Bakehila