Rebuilding Together Metro Chicago

PURPOSE: THE OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE OLDER ADULT HOME MODIFICATION PROGRAM (OAHMP) IS TO ASSIST EXPERIENCED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AND PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITIES IN UNDERTAKING COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMS THAT MAKE SAFETY AND FUNCTIONAL HOME MODIFICATIONS REPAIRS AND RENOVATIONS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF LOW-INCOME ELDERLY HOMEOWNERS. THE GOAL OF THE HOME MODIFICATION PROGRAM IS TO ENABLE LOW-INCOME ELDERLY PERSONS TO REMAIN IN THEIR HOMES THROUGH LOW-COST, LOW BARRIER, HIGH IMPACT HOME MODIFICATIONS TO REDUCE OLDER ADULTS’ RISK OF FALLING, IMPROVE GENERAL SAFETY, INCREASE ACCESSIBILITY, AND TO IMPROVE THEIR FUNCTIONAL ABILITIES IN THEIR HOME. THIS WILL ENABLE OLDER ADULTS TO REMAIN IN THEIR HOMES, THAT IS, TO “AGE IN PLACE,” RATHER THAN MOVE TO NURSING HOMES OR OTHER ASSISTED CARE FACILITIES.; ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: HUD’S OFFICE OF LEAD HAZARD CONTROL AND HEALTHY HOMES IS MAKING AVAILABLE GRANT FUNDS AND TRAINING RESOURCES TO NON-FEDERAL ENTITIES. UNDER THE OAHMP AWARD, EXPERIENCED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AND PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITIES WILL DELIVER HOME MODIFICATION SERVICES TO QUALIFIED BENEFICIARIES. THE OAHMP MODEL FOCUSES ON LOW-COST, HIGH-IMPACT HOME MODIFICATIONS. EXAMPLES OF THESE HOME MODIFICATIONS INCLUDE INSTALLATION OF GRAB BARS, RAILINGS, AND LEVER-HANDLED DOORKNOBS AND FAUCETS, AS WELL AS THE INSTALLATION OF ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT, SUCH AS TEMPORARY RAMP, TUB/SHOWER TRANSFER BENCH, HANDHELD SHOWER HEAD, RAISED TOILET SEAT, RISERS FOR CHAIRS AND SOFAS, AND NON-SLIP STRIPS FOR TUB/SHOWER OR STAIRS. THE OAHMP MODEL PRIMARILY RELIES ON THE EXPERTISE OF A LICENSED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST (OT) TO ENSURE THAT THE HOME MODIFICATION ADDRESSES THE CLIENT’S SPECIFIC GOALS AND NEEDS AND PROMOTES THEIR FULL PARTICIPATION IN DAILY LIFE ACTIVITIES. THE OT IS TRAINED TO EVALUATE CLIENTS’ FUNCTIONAL ABILITIES AND THE HOME ENVIRONMENT AND HAS KNOWLEDGE OF THE RANGE OF LOW-COST, HIGH-IMPACT ENVIRONMENTAL MODIFICATIONS AND ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT USED TO OPTIMIZE THE HOME ENVIRONMENT AND INCREASE INDEPENDENCE. THE GRANTEES, WHICH ARE EXPERIENCED IN PROVIDING SERVICES TO SENIORS, WILL DELIVER HOME MODIFICATION SERVICES TO MORE THAN 1,900 SENIOR FAMILIES IN BOTH URBAN COMMUNITIES AND COMMUNITIES WITH SUBSTANTIAL RURAL POPULATIONS.; EXPECTED OUTCOMES: PROVIDED THROUGH HUD’S OLDER ADULTS HOME MODIFICATION PROGRAM (OAHMP), THESE GRANTS ENABLE LOW-INCOME ELDERLY PERSONS TO REMAIN IN THEIR HOMES THROUGH LOW-COST, LOW BARRIER, HIGH IMPACT HOME MODIFICATIONS TO REDUCE OLDER ADULTS’ RISK OF FALLING, IMPROVE GENERAL SAFETY, INCREASE ACCESSIBILITY, AND IMPROVE THEIR FUNCTIONAL ABILITIES IN THEIR HOME. THESE INVESTMENTS WILL DELIVER HOME MODIFICATION SERVICES TO MORE THAN 1,900 SENIOR FAMILIES TO ENABLE OLDER ADULTS TO REMAIN IN THEIR HOMES – TO “AGE IN PLACE” – RATHER THAN MOVE TO NURSING HOMES OR OTHER ASSISTED CARE FACILITIES.; INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: THE OAHMP PROVIDE FUNDING TO EXPERIENCED NON-PROFITS, STATES, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AND PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCIES FOR SAFETY AND FUNCTIONAL HOME MODIFICATION REPAIRS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF LOW-INCOME ELDERLY HOMEOWNERS TO ENABLE THEM TO REMAIN IN THEIR RESIDENCES AT LEAST ONE HALF OF THE FUNDS SHALL BE AVAILABLE TO COMMUNITIES WITH SUBSTANTIAL RURAL POPULATIONS. INTENDED TO BENEFIT ELIGIBLE LOW-INCOME HOMEOWNERS WHO ARE AT LEAST 62 YEARS OLD FOR WORK IN THEIR PRIVATE PRIMARY RESIDENCE.; SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES: THE SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES ARE UNKNOWN AT THE TIME OF AWARD.