The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is making $15 million available to help older Americans age in place through home modifications.
The funding opportunity is available through HUD’s Older Adult Home Modification Program (OAHMP) and will assist experienced nonprofit organizations, state and local governments and public housing authorities with programs that make safety and functional home modifications repairs and renovations for low-income elderly homeowners.
HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge announced the funding while visiting a home modification project made possible by the OAHMP in Minneapolis, Minn. She was joined by U.S. Senator Tina Smith, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity President and CEO Chris Coleman and Betty and John Smith, the beneficiaries of the home modification project.
“By 2040, it is estimated that 20 percent of the population will be over 65 years old,” Fudge said. “We must allow our nation’s seniors to age-in-place with dignity. This funding will give seniors the flexibility to make changes to their existing homes -- changes that will keep them safe and allow them to gracefully adjust to their changing lifestyle.
“This program is crucial to our work to increase and maintain our nation’s housing supply, and it aligns with the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to treat every person in this country with dignity and respect.”
Sen. Smith said the funding will help thousands of seniors and people living with disabilities nationwide to safely stay in their homes.
“Everyone deserves to live happy, fulfilled lives in their own homes, including older adults and people living with disabilities,” Smith said. “For far too long, we have underinvested in the simple help and support that people need so they can stay in their own homes.”
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