Seattle, WA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Innovative home maintenance, repair and support services

Description: Rising home costs and unaffordable repairs left many older adults at risk of losing their homes. Habitat SKKC expanded its aging-in-place services through the CAPABLE program, combining home safety modifications with in-home support from an occupational therapist and nurse. Six homeowners received tailored plans and repairs, from grab bars to handrails, improving safety and independence. The program helps older adults remain in their homes for years, reducing health care costs and preserving community stability while scaling to serve more households.

La Crosse, WI

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Innovative home maintenance, repair and support services

Description: As housing prices rise and homeowners age, many community members in La Crosse are forced to remain in homes that don't meet their needs. La Crosse Public Library staff hoped to help residents keep their homes and gardens maintained, so they launched a tool lending library. Now, residents can check out gardening and home improvement equipment, including ladders, saws, pressure washers and lightbulb changers. Organizers say allowing people to borrow tools helps them avoid pricey purchases and keep their homes from falling into disrepair. The initiative also complements home improvement training offered at the library. "Awesome resource for the community," one resident said of the lending program. "Many thanks for the hard work involved with setting this up and managing this special collection."

Honolulu, HI

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Innovative home maintenance, repair and support services

Description: Oahu is home to many older adults hoping to age in place. However, aging homes can make this difficult. Working with Palolo Chinese Home, Age-Friendly Honolulu created the Safe Homes 4 Kapuna program, which provides aging-in-place education, as well as home assessments and modifications, to older adults in the Palolo Valley neighborhood. The program produced print and electronic versions of a booklet, called Hale4Kapuna. The publication includes tips about renters' rights, permitting processes, funding sources and types of home modifications beneficial for older adults, as well as information on home assessments and basic handyman work. The group also provided home assessments to six older adults residing in the Palolo Valley.