Help maintaining your home in later life

Thanks to the Erie County Commissioners a $1.25 million grant has been awarded by the Ohio Development Service Agency ‑ Office of Community Development to benefit Erie County home owners (and some landlords). The purpose of the grant is to help Erie County homeowners rehabilitate or repair their homes.Home maintenance can be a dilemma for retirees, whose incomes decrease in retirement compared to when they were wage‑earners. They also have diminished functional capacity (climb ladders, climb on roofs, lift heavy objects), even if they had the skills and the know-how to "do‑it‑yourself."If you are struggling to afford a major repair(s) to your home, remember this name ‑ Erie County Housing Impact & Preservation (CHIP) program. It is not solely for the benefit of older adults living in Erie County. Any age can apply. However, this is a great service to help older homeowners maintain their independence.Great Lakes Community Action Partners (GLCAP), 419‑333‑6101, (formerly known as W.S.O.S.) is the agency selected to put this CHIP grant funds into action. Through the CHIP program older adults can make ADA home modifications for their disability/functional limitation by installing accessible bathtubs and grab bars. A homeowner can also apply to update their electrical system, plumbing, water lines, sewer lines, replace their roof, bathroom, insulate their home or replace their furnace.Generally speaking, home repairs are limited to $10,000 per home; and home rehabilitation is limited to approximately $35,000 per home. Depending on whether the project is a large home repair or a major home rehabilitation, will dictate if the work is done completely free of charge or not. Space prevents me from going to into details.I hope I have whet your appetite to learn more. To do so, call Great Lakes Community Action Partnership at 419‑333‑8911 or 800‑775‑9767 and request to apply for CHIP and any other program. While on the phone, ask if there are other programs to help older homeowners to maintainand improve the home's safety and structural soundness. You can also read more about it at glcap.org.To qualify, the home owners income must be no more than:$38,550 for a household of 1$44,050 for a household of 2Now that more grandparents are raising grandchildren, it may be of interest to know that eligible household income can also be:$49,550 for a household of 3$55,050 for a household of 4$59,500 for a household of 5(Space limits me from listing the rest of the income eligibility criteria.)Erie County residents, ages 60 and older, are also encouraged to let Serving Our Seniors help in navigating the application process. To use our assistance in obtaining and submitting your applications call Serving Our Seniors at 419‑624‑1856 and ask to speak with a Senior Advocate Assistant.