On Thursday, the City of Reno and Rebuilding Together Northern Nevada officially launched their housing applications for their Older Adults Home Modification Program.
The program is for homeowners 62 years old and above who may need some at-home modifications to safely age in place.
Cori Fischer, the Housing Manager for the City of Reno, says, “That could look like we’re moving carpet to help walkers and wheelchairs get through, raising toilet seats, and roll-in showers. We have, truthfully, hundreds of modifications that we could provide our seniors.”
Meg Shea, CEO for Rebuilding Together Northern Nevada, adds, “They have to know when they get up in the morning, can they navigate their home? Can they move about it safely? Are they going to be free from falls?”
Rebuilding Together Northern Nevada is managing the application process on behalf of the program.
This is also the first year they’re doing this grant program.
If you apply, you also have to meet an income requirement, be a homeowner, and be someone who’s looking to stay in their home and live independently.
Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve says, “Our seniors live on very tight fixed incomes, and as they age, it’s important to also retrofit their homes so they can stay in their homes. We also know that it is such a cost saving for them.”
However, the number of people they will be able to help depends on a multitude of factors.
Fischer goes on to say, “If an average household takes $5,000 worth of modifications, some might take fifteen. We’re shooting from anywhere between 110 and 115 people to help.”
Rebuilding Together Northern Nevada says they think this program has the potential to grow in the future, to be more sustainable, and to help people for many years to come.
Fischer goes on to say, “We are really excited in housing and neighborhood development to launch this program. This is something I think our community needs; there’s a great focus on our seniors in the community, and it’s for a good reason.”
Mayor Schieve tells us there’s also a component many people don’t realize.
“It’s a way to also take care of their mental health, because they stress a lot about being displaced out of their homes because they cannot afford to take care of them or afford some of the maintenance and the repairs,” she said.
If you would like to apply for the program, you can click the link here.
