WILMINGTON – Council on Aging (COA) today begins accepting applications for its Clinton County Older Adults Home Modification Program, which aims to reduce older adults’ risk of falling, improve general safety, increase accessibility and improve functional abilities in the home.
COA is administering the program, which is funded by a $1.25 million grant through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Older Adults Home Modification Program. COA was one of 14 national grant recipients.
“We determined when applying for the grant that Clinton County would be our target area, where we could really make a difference in helping older adults to remain in their homes as long as possible,” said COA CEO Suzanne Burke.
Statistics show that 41% of homes in the county are owned and occupied by an individual who meets the program’s age and income requirements. In addition, approximately 50% of the homes in the county were built prior to 1980 and can be expected to need repairs. Also, the county’s Elderly Services Program, which is funded by the senior services levy, is not able to meet the need for home repairs and safety modifications.
“Home repairs and modifications can be expensive,” Burke said. “We’re fortunate to have the Elderly Services Program in Clinton County, but it only scratches the surface in terms of meeting this particular need. This program provides a dedicated stream of funding for home repairs and modifications, saving money for the county and its taxpayers, and ultimately helping us serve many more Clinton County older adults.”
Enhancements provided through the program may include grab bars, hand/safety rails and adaptive equipment. A licensed occupational therapist will meet with applicants in their homes to assess their needs and recommend specific modifications or minor repairs that will be most beneficial to maintaining their independence.
Program qualifications
To qualify for the program, an individual must:
• Be 62 years of age or older
• Own a home in Clinton County
• Reside in the home
• Have an annual household income of $44,000 or less for a household of one or $50,250 or less for a household of two (80% of the area median household income)
How to apply
Individuals who meet the program qualifications and would like to apply to participate should do one of the following to be screened for eligibility:
• Complete the online application located at www.help4seniors.org/cchomemods, OR
• Call Council on Aging at (937) 584-7200 and select Option 2 from the menu
The program is expected to serve at least 160 individuals over a two-year period. In 2022, 600 Clinton County older adults were enrolled in the county’s Elderly Services Program, 60 of whom received minor home repairs and modifications at a cost to the levy of nearly $98,000.
About Council on Aging
Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio (COA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing quality of life for older adults, people with disabilities, their families and caregivers. COA promotes choice, independence, dignity and well-being through a range of services that help people remain independent for as long as possible.
COA is a state-designated Area Agency on Aging serving Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton and Warren counties. One call to COA links people to the wide variety of agencies, information and programs that serve older adults and people with disabilities.
