By Virginia Barreda, Des Moines Register
Polk County is launching a program to help low-income seniors stay in their homes by providing free home repairs.
Aimed at homeowners and renters ages 62 and older, the county’s Aging in Place program will provide home repairs to improve safety and accessibility — a move that county officials hope will reduce the need for them to relocate to nursing homes or assisted living facilities, according to a news release.
Public works staff will coordinate on repairs for the program, which also is being supported with a nearly $1.3 million grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to cover overtime, training, labor and materials costs, county officials said. The program will work with local occupational therapist, Sydney Marshman, from Happy at Home Consulting Projects.
Projects could include installing grab bars, replacing door handles with levers, adding handrails, repairing floors, eliminating trip hazards and building wheelchair ramps, officials said.
“Senior homeowners spent most of their lives in their home,” Polk County Board of Supervisors chair Matt McCoy said in a statement. “This program helps keep them in their homes, so they can live with dignity and remain independent.”
Applicants must meet the following requirements to qualify for the program:
- Must be at least 62 years old. If more than one person resides in the home, only onemust meet this age requirement.
- Income must not exceed 80% of the median income based on HUD guidelines. For a family of two, that’s $73,300 a year in 2025.
- The resident’s property must be free of garbage, debris and building materials, and must not be in violation of any local nuisance ordinances.
- Applicants will allow an occupational therapist to do an in-home assessment to determine fall risk, eligible modification and cost.
For more information about the county’s Aging in Place Program, call 515-286-3356 or email [email protected].
Stay in the know with stories that matter — visit HolaAmericaNews.com for the latest news, culture, and community updates!
Facebook Comments