WHY IS HOME MODIFICATION AND REPAIR IMPORTANT?

Some home modification and repair programs make loans or provide services free of charge or at reduced rates for eligible older people. For more information, contact:

Farmers Home Administration: Various grants and loans are available for rural, low-income elders.

Local Community Development Department: Many cities and towns use Community Development Block Grants to help citizens maintain and upgrade their homes.

Property Improvement Loans (Title I)
This HUD program insures loans of up to $25,000 to finance the light or moderate rehabilitation of residential properties as well as the construction of nonresidential buildings on the property

Local Welfare or Energy Department: 
Two programs from the Low-income Home Energy Assistance. Program (LIHEAP) and the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) of the U.S. Department of Energy, provide funds to weatherize the homes of lower income persons.

Physician or Health Care Provider
Funds from Medicare and Medicaid are available for durable medical equipment with a doctor's prescription.

Local Area Agency on Aging
Funds from the Older Americans Act Title III often can be used to modify and repair homes. Look for your Local Area on Aging Office in the sidebar of this page.

Local Lenders and Banks
Some lenders offer Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECM's) that allow homeowners to turn the value of their home into cash, without having to move or make regular loan payments. See the page "Your Home" under the topic Reverse Mortgages.

GOOD NEWS FOR RENTERS:

The Fair Housing Act of 1988 Section 6(a) makes it illegal for landlords to refuse to let tenants make reasonable modifications to their house or apartment if the tenant is willing to pay for the changes. The law also requires new construction of dwellings with four or more units to include features such as wheelchair accessibility, reinforced walls to accommodate later installation of grab bars in bathrooms, and accessible electrical outlets and thermostats.

WHERE TO GET HELP

If you need to use a contractor, make certain that the contractor is reliable. Older people are prime target for con artists and fraud. Be especially wary of door-to-door repair salespersons. Consider taking these steps:

Get recommendations from friends who have had similar projects completed.

Hire a licensed and bonded contractor. Be specific about the work which you want. Try to get bids from several contractors.

Ask for references from previous customers - CHECK OUT THE REFERENCES - try to see some of the contractor's completed projects.

Insist on a written agreement, with only a small down payment. Have a trusted family member or friend read the agreement. Consider having the agreement reviewed by your lawyer if it is very complicated. Make the final payment only after the project is completed.

Check with your local Better Business Bureau or your city/county Consumer Affairs Office regarding the contractor's reliability and performance record.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

WELLcomeHome
A home-modification resource center to keep you where you want to be... at home. The information in this site can help you determine how your house or the house of someone you know can be improved to allow you to stay at home.

Home Modification Action Project - Accessible Home Page
Includes a library of online publications, The Toolbox (advice for builders and remodelers), Consumer Corner, and The Gateway (tool for eldercare professionals including a hoe safety checklist and other instruments).  Developed with support from the Archstone Foundation, Long Beach, California.

Home Safety Guide for Older People
General information about home safety.

Safety for Older Consumers. Also check their other Publications for Older Consumers. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Washington, D.C. 20207 For more information, call: 1- 800-638-2772 Price: Free

Home Modification Independent Living Kit:  Fixing to Stay  
Most seniors want to stay in their own homes.  However, as physical needs change, this isn't always easy. Stairs may prove a challenge, hallways may be too narrow or too dark, favorite throw rugs may become slippery hazards, lighting may no longer be adequate, and bathroom door knobs and faucets may become difficult to use.  With some planning, even major renovations can be accomplished smoothly at low cost.  Living in a home adapted to one's needs can make all the difference in daily living.  To obtain more details, point and click the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) web place section "AARP Connections For Independent Living". 

This document was adapted from material developed by the National Eldercare Institute on Housing and Supportive Services, Andrus Gerontology Center, University of Southern California. Duplication of this document is encouraged with attribution of the source.
For more information, write to the National Resource and Policy Center on Housing and Long Term Care, USC, Andrus Gerontology Center, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0191.