Delaware Habitat For Humanity Launches Older Adults Home Modifications Program

LEWES, Del. – Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County, Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity, and Sussex County Habitat for Humanity have launched a statewide program to reduce barriers to aging in place modifications for low-income older adults in the State of Delaware.

The program is made possible by a recently awarded Older Adults Home Modification Program grant of $1,248,216 through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

According to Kevin Gilmore, Sussex County Habitat for Humanity CEO, the need for this program is great.

“All three Habitat organizations receive frequent inquiries from seniors who want to stay safely in their homes, but cannot afford the necessary modifications that allow them to do so,”  Gilmore said citing a need for more than 25,000 low-income Delaware households to receive home repair.

Older adults face the additional burden of home modifications related to aging in place and the costs associated with these adaptations.

 The OAHMP will fund 180 necessary home modifications for Delaware homeowners aged 62 plus that will improve both quality of life and the health and safety of household residents.

Clients will also benefit from the participation of occupational therapy professionals as well as a number of wraparound services and needs-based referrals meant to optimize each client’s home environment for safety, accessibility, and quality of life.

“This year, Delaware topped the nation as the best state to retire,” said U.S. Senator Tom Carper. “So as more seniors looking to retire in our great state of Delaware, we need programs like this one to help seniors age in their homes safely. Aging at home not only preserves Delawarean’s way of life and dignity, but it saves us money in the long run as well. I’m proud of the good work Habitat is doing on the ground to help our low-income seniors live out their golden years in their homes.”

 U.S. Census data shows more than 64,000 Delawareans aged 62 years and older own their residence and live on less than 80% of the area’s median income.

“This allows our seniors to age in place with grace and dignity,” said Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester.

The program is expected to begin taking applications in the fall of 2023. Contact your local Habitat organization by visiting www.habitatncc.org, centraldelawarehabitat.org or SussexCountyHabitat.org for more information.