Homeowners who are 62 years or older may qualify to receive thousands of dollars for home improvements. This comes after the City of Reno approved a $1.23 million grant to help seniors stay safe in their home.
This grant is enough money to help about 110 people, with each of them getting about five thousand dollars to make their homes more comfortable.
Cori Fisher, housing manager for the Housing and Neighborhood Development Department, says, "Our seniors are often left out of a lot of grant opportunities and we're lucky to have such great nonprofit partners that can help address these needs that just aren't met otherwise."
The City of Reno is partnering with local nonprofit, Rebuilding Together Northern Nevada (RTNNV), who's helping manage home modifications for the Older Adults Home Modification Program Grant.
Meg Shea, CEO of RTNNV, says, "The repairs that we do are anything from like a grab bar, ramps, stairs, it comes down to the individual and what they really need."
The nonprofit is also providing a certified aging-in-place specialist who will come in to help homeowners create goals and figure out what they need in order to live safely in their homes.
Shea explains, "They'll be an added layer to go into the home. They have a more detailed eye, not only what somebody could be dealing with today, but what might show up for them later."
To qualify, applicants must have an income that is no higher than 80% of the area median income in Reno.
Fisher says grants like this help seniors keep independence in our community.
"We recognize that seniors in our community, not everyone has family that can take them in or can't afford to necessarily go into a home, or a nursing home, and most people don't want to," she said. "So, this resource is incredibly important to ensure that they get to stay in their home, that they have been in for many years."
Applications for this grant are expected to open early summer this year.
We also have a full list of other resources for seniors in our community by clicking here.
