Programs are available for senior citizens to make needed home repairs.
High costs may force elderly people living on a fixed income to delay necessary home repairs. What was a minor problem could turn into a major one; for example, leaks create instability in floors and ceilings. Fortunately, programs are available to help senior citizens repair their dwellings and keep up with basic home maintenance. Some funding is available only for problems of an emergency nature, or those creating serious health and safety hazards. Does this Spark an idea?
Rural Repair and Rehabilitation Loans and Grants
This U.S. Department of Agriculture program provides grants and loans to seniors living in rural areas to make home repairs under the Very Low Income Housing Repair program. Grants up to $7,500 and loans up to $20,000 are available to homeowners age 62 or more whose income is less than 50 percent of their area's median. For loans more than $7,500, a mortgage must be obtained and a full title service is required, according to the program website. Funding is available to make the dwellings sanitary and free from safety or health hazards. If the home is sold within three years, the grant may have to be repaid.
rurdev.usda.gov
Smithtown, New York: Residential Repair Program
Residents over age 60 in this Long Island community may be eligible for this service provided by the Town of Smithtown. Minor repairs such as installing hand rails or grab bars, fixing windows or leaky faucets, gutter cleaning and weatherization are covered. There are no income limitations, although donations are appreciated. The service is free except for cost of materials.
smithtowninfo.com
Queen Anne's County: Senior Citizen Home Repair
Senior low-income residents of this Maryland county may be eligible for its Senior Citizen Home Repair program, where up to $500 in grants is available for emergency repairs. These repairs must fix serious safety or health issues in homes occupied by their owners.
qac.org
Dutchess County, NY: Senior Citizen Owner-Occupied Property Rehabilitation
The Senior Citizen Owner-Occupied Property Rehabilitation program in New York's Dutchess County offers zero percent and/or deferred-payment loan to eligible seniors in owner-occupied homes. Any repairs needed to satisfy building code violations are included in the program, but repairs costing more than $20,000 are ineligible. Applicants must be at least 62 years old and the property must be their principal residence. Residents of Poughkeepsie, the town of Fishkill, Wappinger Village and East Fishkill are not eligible, as their municipalities either have their own programs or have elected not to participate in the county program.
co.dutchess.ny.us
Tags: Senior Citizen, home repairs, Citizen Home, Citizen Home Repair, Citizen Owner-Occupied
