We have the Commission on Aging here in Michigan, and each county has a branch office. They usually have contractors and others who will help the elderly with MINOR repairs - like replacing a faucet, cleaning gutters, washing windows, etc - on a donation basis. If you can't afford to donate, they don't press the issue, but they do appreciate the donations, because it helps keep the organization running.
For larger repairs (or remodeling) there's an agency at the federal level - Rural Housing Development - that may be of help. They offer grants up to a certain dollar amount to help. However, for larger repairs that exceed the grant amount, they will make you take out a mortgage on the house. (We checked into that for the $20-$30k repairs that my mother's house needs...but we refuse to put another mortgage on a house that is almost paid off and only has a taxable value of $14k! Dad would be rolling in his grave if we mortgaged the house he worked so hard to pay off.)
If anyone is a veteran, Home Depot has a program of providing free home repairs until 2015, committing $80 million to that program. Go to your local store, see the manager and make a request. It then goes to their corporate office. All they can do is say, "No". Churches help out and check other charitable organizations.
Our local council on aging has a program like this. If a person qualifies, they get two visits a year by volunteers who do repairs, clean gutters, etc. Wherever you live, it's worth checking out with your local non-profit and/or government elderly services agency.
6 Answers
Helpful Newest
First Oldest
First
For larger repairs (or remodeling) there's an agency at the federal level - Rural Housing Development - that may be of help. They offer grants up to a certain dollar amount to help. However, for larger repairs that exceed the grant amount, they will make you take out a mortgage on the house. (We checked into that for the $20-$30k repairs that my mother's house needs...but we refuse to put another mortgage on a house that is almost paid off and only has a taxable value of $14k! Dad would be rolling in his grave if we mortgaged the house he worked so hard to pay off.)
ADVERTISEMENT