The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded more than $3.7 million to three organizations across the country to help low-income seniors stay in their own homes and age safely, and one local nonprofit is benefitting the most.
It is part of HUDs Housing adaptation program for older adultsand the Center for Independent Living of Central Florida will receive the largest portion of the grant this year, $1.22 million. This is the second and final round of the grant program, which is now in its third year.
As people age, the homes they have lived in for a long time may no longer be able to accommodate their new needs as older people. This money will be used to fund home modifications that can reduce the risk of falls and injuries and improve overall safety and accessibility.
CIL in Orlando is an organization dedicated to breaking down barriers for people with disabilities. Executive Director Liz Howe said they have applied three times since this HUD grant was introduced in 2021.
Howe said she was grateful they were ultimately selected.
“I couldn’t tell enough people. I was just walking up and down the halls. I was so excited. I can’t tell you how excited we are about this,” she said. “This is going to be a huge boost and a huge help to people.”
Howe said most of these modifications are inexpensive but can have a big impact on the quality of life of older people. Improvements include widening doorways to allow walkers and wheelchairs to fit through and installing grab bars.
“They make such a huge contribution to preventing falls and injuries and preventing people from ending up in hospital or in prolonged institutionalization. So it’s a very necessary and very tangible service and program,” she said.
HUD’s program is highly competitive. Dr. Taneka Blue, an occupational therapist and the program’s technical representative to the government, said the program draws hundreds of applicants from across the U.S. each year.
Dr. Blue said CIL’s Orlando grants will help serve 195 households in Central Florida.
“We look forward to them bringing their work into the community and actually making modifications to homes that will improve safety and enable older people to age successfully in their familiar homes,” she said.
According to Dr. Blue, the grant team has applied for another round of congressional funding and hopes it will be approved so the program can continue.
Lillian Hernández Caraballo is a member of the Report for America CorpsR.
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