Habitat for Humanity

Aging in Place

An AARP study conducted in 2000 revealed that, given a choice, nearly 90% of older adults preferred to remain in their own homes rather than move to a nursing facility or other institutional setting late in life.  For many seniors, however, their ability to continue maintaining aging homes as they reached their twilight years frequently became a deciding factor in their ability to stay, particularly for low-income adults.

Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County, an organization already well-known in our community for their home-build programs, is now helping area seniors stay in their homes through an innovative program called “Aging in Place.”  In partnership with several other area organizations, Aging in Place provides home repairs to St. Joseph County residents 60 years of age and older that earn less than 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI).  Under the plan, approved seniors can receive grants worth up to $15,000 in home repairs, including repairs to the roof and windows, weatherization, and modifications to improve mobility, in exchange for a pledge to not sell the home for 5 years after completion of the work and a $25 fee to record this deed restriction.  For every year the homeowner remains in the home, the grant repayment amount is reduced by 20%- at the end of 5 years nothing is owed on the grant.