City program offers home upgrades to low-income elderly and disabled

'If I had a hammer, I'd hammer in the morning ... all over this land ... "

Soon, there will be lots of hammering in the city of Joliet.

The city was awarded $180,000 to use for home modifications for people with disabilities and the elderly with low incomes living in Joliet. The money will be used to modify bathrooms, doorways and to install ramps for greater access. The maximum that can be spent on a single home is $25,000.

Here are the nuts and bolts of how this program will work: The Will Grundy Center for Independent Living, Senior Services, and the Will County Center for Community Concerns are the three designated agencies that will make referrals to the housing finance specialist with the city of Joliet. Once the referrals are initiated, an application will be mailed to the applicant asking for information such as income verification and a letter from a physician indicating that the modifications will enhance the person's activities for daily living.

A rehabilitation specialist will then be sent to the home after the family has met all of the stipulations to assess what is needed. A written report will be made and an inspector will determine if there are any health or safety issues that may need to be addressed. These safety issues will include whether the home has the proper number of carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and good condition of the water and electric heaters. The work write-up will be sent out for bids and the city will select a contractor to complete the work.

It will be necessary for the homeowner to sign a note and a recapture agreement that is in effect for five years. In other words, if the family sells the home or transfers the title prior to the end of the five-year period, the funds used for the modifications will be prorated and paid back. After the five-year period, all of the funds that were expended to improve accessibility will be totally forgiven by the city. The contractor will be paid for by the city and the homeowner must authorize that the work has been completed.

Lois Goldman, housing finance specialist, said, "We are to do a minimum of nine homes, but feel that the funds may stretch to do many more. Elderly is a person 60 years young or older."

This is truly a wonderful and needed program. If you need home modifications, time is of the essence. Let me drill home this fact: The plain truth of the matter is, wrench yourself from your daily routine and chisel your name at the top of the referral list. When the sawdust settles, you will be glad you did.

Contact Valerie Brew-Parrish, at Val4info@Comcast.net.