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Home Ramp Accessibility Funding Resources
Whether you’re looking to purchase a ramp system to improve access to your home, or make other modifications to make your home safer for seniors or people with limited mobility, it can be a significant investment. Often, it may require financial assistance to offset the full cost of the an improvement project for your home. Live At Home One Your Home has compiled a list of funding sources that can help you. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our staff.
Types of Home Modification Assistance
Governmental Loans
There are several types of financing options available to you if you’re looking to make modifications to your home. Among these are low-interest loans offered through governmental agencies. These loans are often less restrictive than traditional bank loans and can have easier qualification criteria.
Home Improvement Grants
Unlike loans, grants do not need to be repaid. Home improvement grants are often available to you. Criteria includes that the grant money be used for a specific home improvement purpose. These grants are usually only available for one-time use.
Equipment Loans
These loans are usually available to seniors. Here’s how they work – a senior is loaned a specific piece of equipment, like a wheelchair ramp to improve access to their home. They are free to use that equipment at no cost as long as they live in the home. Once they no longer have need of the equipment, or move away from that home, the ramp is then returned to the organization that originally loaned it out.
Home Modification Resources
Most financial assistance for home modifications comes from one of the following 3 major sources. One can browse the programs using the links below or search for relevant programs using our Home Modification Resource Locator Tool.
1. Federal Government Programs for Home Modifications
There are government programs such as HUD Home Improvement Loans, USDA Rural Repair and Rehabilitation Grants and multiple grants from the Veteran’s Administration including SAH Grants, SHA Grants and HISA Grants and VD-HCBS.
2. State Government Programs for Home Modifications
Non-Medicaid Home Modification Assistance
Some of these state government programs may be specifically designed to help with home modifications but most of them fall under the category of nursing home diversion programs in which assistance in making home modifications is provided with the objective of preventing individuals from having to move into skilled nursing homes. Unfortunately not all states offer programs.
Medicaid Waivers for Home Modifications and Assistive Technology
For individuals enrolled in, or qualified for Medicaid, many states have home modification and assistive technology Medicaid waiver programs. These waivers are intended to enable nursing home qualified individuals to remain living at home. In doing so, the waivers often will pay for approved home modifications to increase an individual’s ability to live independently.
3. Non-Profits and Community Organizations
Many non-profits and other organizations offer assistance in the form of financial aid or volunteer labor to help seniors with home modifications. One of the most noteworthy is the organization Rebuilding Together / Christmas in April which offers 3 programs: Safe at Home, Heroes at Home and National Rebuilding Day. Community building projects provide seniors with volunteer labor to help them make home improvements.
Finally, there are other miscellaneous home modification assistance resources such as reverse mortgages and tax deductions for home modifications that can help to reduce or offset the cost of making a home more accessible to the elder