Several grants help seniors with home repair expenses.
In tough economic times, senior citizens can often experience financial strain that can make paying for home maintenance difficult. According to a 2009 CBS 2 Chicago report, the poverty rate for Americans age 65 and older may be as high as 18.6 percent, which means that 6.8 million seniors may live in poverty. Several grants are available to help the elderly with the high cost of home repair projects. Though each grant is different, most fund improvements in home health and safety. Does this Spark an idea?
U.S. Department of Agriculture
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development office provides grants to seniors through the Rural Repair and Rehabilitation program. To qualify, homeowners must be at least 62, have an income below 50 percent of the area median average and live in a rural area as defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Funds can be used to remove health and safety hazards or to improve sanitation. Grants range up to $7,500.
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Rural Development
1400 Independence Ave. SW
Room 205-W
Mail Stop 0107
Washington, DC 20250
202-720-4581
rurdev.usda.gov
City of Daly City, California
The City of Daly City's, California's Residential Rehabilitation Program offers the Senior Minor Home Repair Grant program. Grants range up to $1,000 and are available to seniors age 60 and up who own and occupy their homes. Applicants must meet income guidelines to qualify. If the home to be repaired is more than 50 years old, four pictures of the residence must be sent to the California State Historic Preservation Office for review before a grant can be approved.
City of Daly City
Residential Rehabilitation Program
333 90th Street
Daly City, CA 94015
650-991-8068
dalycity.org
City of Detroit
The City of Detroit's Housing Services Division offers grants through the Senior Emergency Home Repair program. Low-income seniors age 65 and older or physically disabled adults age 55 and older who own and occupy their homes can apply. Funds must be used for emergency repairs and to correct "serious code violations," according to grant guidelines. Repairs can include roofs, plumbing, furnaces, electrical systems and structural repairs. Grants range up to $12,000.
City of Detroit
Housing Services Division
65 Cadillac Square, Suite 1700
Detroit, MI 48226
313-224-3461
detroitmi.gov
City of Cleveland
The City of Cleveland's Department of Aging offers grants through the Senior Home Owner Assistance program. To qualify, seniors must be over 60, own a single- or two-family home, and meet income guidelines. Grant applicants must live in the home to be repaired. Eligible repairs can include "roof repair or replacement, major electrical work, major plumbing work, repair or replacing front or back steps, porch repairs and the installation of ramps," according to the grant application.
City of Cleveland
Department of Aging
75 Erieview Plaza
22nd Floor
Cleveland, OH 44114
216-664-2833
city.cleveland.oh.us
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD, offers grants to repair, renovate and revitalize senior housing through the Financial Tools to Modernize or Construct Elderly Public Housing-HOPE VI program. Grants can pay for "demolition of severely distressed public housing; acquisition of sites for off-site construction; capital costs of major rehabilitation, new construction and other physical improvements; and community and supportive service programs for residents," according to the HUD website. If elderly residents are forced to move during the repair process, grants will fund relocation costs. Public housing agencies that serve low-income elderly residents are eligible to apply.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
451 7th St. SW
Washington, DC 20410
202-708-1112
hud.gov
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