Habitat Choptank today announced it was one of only three local Habitat affiliates nationwide chosen to implement and test the AARP Foundation’s Here to Stay: Home Upkeep for All™ home maintenance workshop series for low-income older adults.
“We are thrilled to be part of this effort to help seniors age in place,” said JoAnn Hansen, Habitat Choptank’s Executive Director. “We recognize the long-term contributions older residents have made and continue to make in their communities, and we want to help them make repairs and modifications necessary for them to remain in their homes with comfort and dignity.”
“Here to Stay” is a part of Habitat for Humanity’s national Aging in Place program, which Habitat Choptank has been deeply invested in since 2017, that aims to improve quality of life for older Americans through home repair and modifications that foster a safe, livable and lasting environment to age in their home and community. The “Home Upkeep for All” workshop series will include information sessions and hands-on demonstrations. In addition, the AARP funding will allow Habitat Choptank to make health and safety repairs for qualifying-seniors. The first workshop will be held on June 27th at 5pm at the Chesapeake College Cambridge Center at 416-418 Race Street in Cambridge.
Once complete, Habitat Choptank and the two additional local Habitat organizations, Riverside Habitat in Riverside, California and Palm Beach County Habitat in West Palm Beach, Florida, will share best practices and lessons learned with four additional Habitat organizations, not yet determined, to tweak and re-implement in their own communities in 2020.
Housing repair is a priority for local government and residents in the Habitat Choptank area. Senior homeowners are particularly vulnerable. Residents who have lived in homes for decades without any issues find themselves struggling with steps, staircases and other exterior repairs. Some seniors become less physically able to tackle household projects, or lose a spouse who had taken care of those projects. Resources are needed to keep people safe, healthy and secure, and allow them to age in place.
For more information about this initiative, to make a donation that benefits our local community, or volunteer on home repair projects, call 410-476-3204 or visit www.HabitatChoptank.org.
About Habitat Choptank
Since 1992, Habitat Choptank has made home ownership possible for 80 families and has completed critical health and safety repairs in partnership with over 179 qualifying homeowners. At present, 13 new homes are under construction in Dorchester and Talbot Counties. Income qualifying homebuyers are offered access to affordable mortgage financing in order to purchase a new construction or rehabbed home from the nonprofit’s project inventory. After completing “sweat equity” hours, attending pre-homeownership classes, and meeting debt reduction and savings goals, these individuals and families will purchase homes that they helped construct and assume the full responsibilities of homeownership including maintaining their home, paying property taxes and repaying their mortgage over 30 to 33 years. Habitat accepts applications for its homeownership and repair programs throughout the year. For more information, to make a donation that benefits our local community, or volunteer, call 410-476-3204 or visit www.HabitatChoptank.org.
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