Rep. Steve Cohen TN-D and leaders of the Local Initiatives Support Corp. (LISC) announced on Dec. 8, that $3 million in federal grants have been secured to fund home repairs for low income seniors in Memphis.
LISC is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit organizations aiming to assist communities with certain health and economic issues. The Memphis LISC prioritizes community revitalization and development.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grants will fund the Critical Home Repairs for Seniors Program, through which seniors can apply for grants of $5,000 to $20,000 to use for home repairs.
Nigel Roberts, the program’s executive director, said these grants, which will benefit about 170 homes, will provide seniors peace of mind when it comes to home repair costs.
“Memphis faces an affordable housing crisis, particularly with our senior residents,” Roberts said. “Fourty percent of our houses were built before 1970. Many houses needed major repairs. Not only do we need to preserve these homes, but we need to protect the wellbeing of our neighborhoods. We need to empower our seniors to protect their most valuable asset, their home.”
Roberts said the goal is for Memphis senior residents to have a safe, repaired, and functional home, and for every citizen to have equal access to housing.
Cohen said there are two grants — one for $1 million and another for $2 million — to fund the program. He said affordable housing is important for senior citizens in Memphis along with safety and security in their homes.
“We have many seniors with an asset in their home,” he said. “They have security problems and high energy bills. If your house is not insulated well, air can escape and the energy bill can go up.
“My office, the LISC team, and the Housing Authority have been working with the Hospitality Hub and the Alpha Omega Veterans association and other organizations in order to get housing for seniors.”
Some seniors were skeptical about the program, including AJ Green, who attended the news conference. Green said he waited for three years for a roof repair through a similar program from Shelby County.
“I’m still waiting for winterization. They have not come here yet,” Green said. “The rep said in a few months they would get the money and start repairing the houses.”
Yet, he said he plans to apply for the program, hoping that things will turn out different.
“I talked to the lady who is in charge, and she told me to call the hotline and she will let me know,” he said. “Its just like everything in Memphis. Everything is a waiting list with the county programs. The lady I talked to said to call and apply before the money runs out. I didn’t know much about this program until my cousin called me and told me to rush down here.”
Andre Matthews of the Chickasaw Nation of Memphis said while the money is good, it is not enough to support the houses seniors live in.
“It’s a good start, but we need triple that three million dollars,” Matthews said. “These houses are rotten on the inside with termites and pests. Then many of them got bad pipes running through them with lead, rust and fluoride. Even the pipes are 100 years old. It affects the health of the people.”
Cohen said seniors have many needs that this program can help resolve.
“Whether it is repairs that make their houses safer to prevent injuries, and for energy costs for seniors who want to stay in their home, this program helps to do that,” said Cohen.
He added that to prevent scams and safeguard applicants, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis, which is partnering with LISC, will vet prospective contractors. “They have a great reputation for doing good work. They will see to it that they will get good contractors that do quality work.”
Roberts said although funds are limited, seniors should not be discouraged from applying.
“We wish we had $10 million,” he said. “We will use the $3 million to provide (assistance to) as many homeowners as we can. That $3 million can provide for about 170 homeowners. We really try to spread the money to help as many seniors as possible.”
