$780,000 to be awarded to four organizations
Washington, D.C. – February 15, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — AARP Foundation Housing Impact Area announced today four organizations are receiving $780,000 in Home Repair Accelerator grants, resulting in the repair and modification of 1,179 homes The Home Repair Accelerator grant program launched last summer with the goal of identifying operational models for providing home repair services to struggling homeowners age 50 and older. As the current demand for home repair services for low-income households far surpasses what existing organizations are able to provide, the objective of the grant program is to pilot new models of efficiency and cost recovery that are scalable, able to be replicated, and that result in a sustained increase in the number of home repairs completed.
Sadly, at least 13 million low-income, 50+ households live in unaffordable and or inadequate housing. The Housing Impact Area of AARP Foundation seeks to win back opportunity for the struggling 50 and older by helping to preserve adequacy and affordability within current homes, increasing the supply of adequate and affordable housing, raise awareness of housing needs of the low- income 50+ population and build thought leadership ideas on the subject through various research techniques.
“As people age, their need for safe and affordable housing grows more critical. For vulnerable older Americans housing upkeep is a challenge to maintain, particularly in these tough economic times,” said AARP Foundation President Jo Ann Jenkins. “This grant program will help build our housing knowledge base, and ultimately help older people who are struggling to stay in their homes.”
AARP Foundation’s call for solutions resulted in the submission of 96 letters of intent from organizations across the country. After an extensive review process the Foundation chose four organizations to invest in.:
Habitat for Humanity International – “50+ Repair Program”
Five to seven Habitat for Humanity affiliates will execute innovative models of home repair and/or rehabilitation for vulnerable 50+ homeowners. Habitat for Humanity will publish a 50+ Resource Guide to ensure program replication. . They will also provide 27 low-income 50+ households with needed repair services.
o Grant Award Amount: $250,000
Rebuilding Together – “Safe at Home Fee-for-Service Program”
Rebuilding Together will be expanding its repair services to households using a fee-for-service model. The states include Calif., Ariz., Minn., Washington, D.C., Mo., Pa.
o Grant Award Amount: $250,000
Neighborhood of Affordable Housing, Inc., Boston, Mass – “Greater Boston Senior Home Repair Collaborative”
A city-wide coalition of nonprofit home-repair organizations will pilot a flat fee-for-service model for homeowners with higher incomes.
o Grant Award Amount: $200,000
Greater Lansing Housing Coalition, Lansing, Mich. – “Tuesday Toolmen”
Replicating a model of retired, skilled trade volunteers will be providing minor home repairs and modifications for low-income 50+ homeowners to ensure that they may live safely and independently in their homes.
o Grant Award Amount: $80,000
About AARP Foundation
AARP Foundation is working to win back opportunity for struggling Americans 50+ by being a force for change on the most serious issues they face today: housing, hunger, income and isolation. By coordinating responses to these issues on all four fronts at once, and supporting them with vigorous legal advocacy, the Foundation serves the unique needs of those 50+ while working with local organizations nationwide to reach more people, work more efficiently and make resources go further. AARP Foundation is AARP’s affiliated charity. Learn more at www.aarpfoundation.org
Contact:
Charlotte Castillo
(202) 434 2560
