HUD announces $3.7M for housing modifications so seniors can 'age in place' in their homes

Aug. 22 (UPI) -- The U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded $3.7 million to two non-profit organizations and a local housing authority to help low-income seniors stay in their homes by making modifications, HUD announced Thursday.

"Today, we are furthering our commitment to improving the quality of life for older adults of limited means," said HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman . "These grants provide a critical resource to communities to make low-cost, high impact home repairs tailored to the needs of the residents."

The modifications are designed to reduce older adults' risk of falling, increase accessibility, and improve functional abilities in their homes. HUD said the benefits of making homes safer for seniors can have far-reaching positive outcomes.

"There is a strong connection between health and housing," said Matthew Ammon, director of HUD's Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes. "It is important that our homes stay safe, healthy, and easy to live in, and this program does that, empowering older adults to age in place with dignity."

Falls among seniors are a serious concern, and more Americans are dying a result of fall-related injuries , officials have said.

Three separate grants were made to an independent living center in Florida, a local housing authority in Maine, and a community action center in Massachusetts. All told, the grant money will be used to improve 525 units in the three states.

"These investments will enable older adults to remain in their homes -- to "age in place" -- rather than move to nursing homes or other assisted care facilities," HUD said.

"The grantees, which are experienced in providing services to seniors, will deliver home modification services to more than 525 senior families in both urban communities and communities with substantial rural populations."

This is the second round of funding earmarked to meet the needs of low-income elderly homeowners as part of HUD's Older Adults Home Modification Program.

The first round , distributed in 27 states and Puerto Rico, and substantially larger at $70 million, was announced in April and "helps vulnerable residents by fixing housing-related health and safety hazards, establishing sustainable local programs, and supporting key research to identify and mitigate these hazards," HUD said in a release.