HUD Announces $15 Million to Help Older Americans Age in Place

HUD Announces $15 Million to Help Older Americans Age in Place

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will distribute an additional $15 million through its Older Adult Home Modification Program (OAHMP) to local non-profit organizations and state and local governments to help low-income elderly homeowners pay for home modifications that will help them age in place.

Eligible organizations will need to apply for the new round of funding through a Notice of Funding Availability. A link to the NOFA was provided at the bottom of HUD’s press release.

Housing Secretary Marcia Fudge (pictured) announced the new round of funding earlier this week in front of a home in Minneapolis, MN owned for the past 36 years by John and Betty Smith. According to local press coverage of the event, the Smiths received a grant for $2,500 to pay for things like new wiring for their flickering lights, updated smoke detectors, functional knobs and pullers on their built-in buffet, a knee scooter walker and a grab bar for their bathroom. The work was done by the Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, Inc.

“This work was done with a $30 million expenditure from HUD. I’m here today to announce another $15 million, which we believe will help another 5,000-plus seniors,” said Secretary Fudge.

The OAHMP program is open to anyone aged 62 or older, who earns less than 80 percent of the Area Median Income. Once the new funding round is completed, Weekly Report will share a list of organizations in your state that received funding that you can then share with your clients who may want to take advantage of the program.

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Darryl Hicks

Darryl Hicks is Vice President of Communications for the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association. In this capacity, Hicks writes for NRMLA's publications, manages the association's web sites and social media accounts, assists committees and the Board of Directors, and manages the Certified Reverse Mortgage Professional designation. Prior to joining NRMLA in 1999, Hicks spent three years in the Washington, D.C. bureau for National Mortgage News.