nrcshhm-National Directory of Home Modification Resources-Florida

Welcome to your state/community home modification forum. This forum has been created to give you an opportunity to learn about and contribute to your state's home modification profile.

Where to Get Help:

There are several ways to modify and repair your home. You can: 1) do it yourself, or get a friend or relative to help; 2) hire a handyman or contractor; 3) contact a home modification and repair program. In addition to the programs listed in the Directory, programs can be located through your:

Local area agency on aging
State department on aging
State housing finance agency
Department of public welfare
Department of housing and community development
Senior center Independent living center

Also, consider taking these steps:

Get recommendations from friends who have had similar projects completed.
Hire a licensed and bonded contractor. Be specific about changes you wish to make in advance.
Ask for a written agreement with only a small down payment. Make the final payment only after the project is completed.
Check with your local better business Bureau regarding the contractor's or program's reliability and performance record.

Other Resources:

The NeighborWorks® network is a national network of 220 community-based organizations that helps low- and moderate-income families rent, purchase, and maintain safe, affordable homes. The NeighborWorks® network also revitalizes communities through resident leadership and private and public partnerships.

To locate NeighborWorks® network partner that might offer assistance with home modifications, visit www.nw.org and click on Network Directory. Type in the CITY and select the STATE, then click on ORGANIZATION SEARCH. You can also try calling the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation at (202) 220-2300.

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Some local housing agencies utilize portions of their CDBG program to pay for various kinds of home modifications. To contact your local CDBG grantee, call the US Department of Housing and Urban Development at (202) 708-1112.

On the website, click on a state to view contact information for the CDBG grantee in that area.

Bonifay

WEATHERIZATION PROGRAM
Contact Person	Carol Edwards, Weatherization Coordinator
Address	Tri-County Community Council, Inc. 301 North Oklahoma Street, Bonifay, FL 32425
Phone Number	(850) 547-3688
Sponsor	Tri-County Community Council, Inc.
Date established	1976
Primary target population	Economically disadvantaged older persons and disabled persons of all ages
Number of Persons Served/year	200
Percentage of Clients Aged 60 Years+	65%
No. of paid staff	2 full-time, 1 part-time
Most Common Modification/Repairs Provided	Weatherization, doors and window
Total Budget	$286,858
Funding Source(s)	Community Development Block Grant State Department of Community Affair
Special Features	* Educates clients about their individual energy needs and steps they can take to conserve energy within their home * Uses Green Thumb personnel to provide labor for such services as repairing porches and installing wheelchair

Jacksonville

Jacksonville Housing Partnership
Address	4401 Emerson St. Jacksonville, FL 32207
Phone Number	904-398-4424
Homepage	www.jaxhousing.com
Primary target population	Low income, 60+.
Percentage of Clients Aged 60 Years+	80%
No. of paid staff	20
Most Common modification/Repairs Provided	Roofs
Type of Assessment	Functional
Total Budget	$2.6 million
Funding Source(s)	Local, state, and federal funds and private foundations.
Special Features	Goal is to promote, develop, implement, or finance affordable housing.

Modern Rehabilitation Program
Address	1300 Broad St. Jacksonville, FL 32202
Phone Number	904-630-3820
Fax	904-630-3829
Primary target population	Low-income.
No. of paid staff	3
Type of Assessment	Inspection
Funding Source(s)	* Federal funds * HUD

Lauderdale By The Sea

Home Modification Evaluations and Design
Director	Saundra Alexander, RN, BSID, allied ASID
Address	4617 Bougainvilla Drive, #3 Lauderdale By The Sea, FL 33308
Phone Number	954-229-6099
Fax	954-229-7011
Email	sandyalexander_727@earthlink.net
Primary target population	Disabled and elderly
# of Clients Served	100+
No. of paid staff	1
Type of Assessment	Environmental
Date Established	2003
Non-profit	No
Certifications	CEAC, CAPS

Orlando

Heart
Contact Person	Neil Roetke
Contact Title	Director
Address	5395 LB McLead Rd. Orlando, FL 32811
Phone Number	407-292-0177
Fax	407-292-2773
Homepage	www.seniorsfirstinc.org
Sponsor	Seniors First Inc.
Date Established	1987
Primary target population	Older homeowners.
Percentage of Clients Aged 60 Years+	100%
No. of paid staff	6
Most Common modification/Repairs Provided	Grab bars, weatherization, painting, and repairs.
Type of Assessment	Inspections
Total Budget	$350,000
Funding Source(s)	* United Way * AAA * Orange County * Private donations.
Special Features	Offers the Fee for Service Program-open to any income senior needing home improvements.

Panama City

WEATHERIZATION PROGRAM
Contact Person	Philip Jones, Coordinator
Address	Bay County Council on Aging, Inc. 1116 Frankford Ave., Panama City, FL 32401
Phone Number	(850) 769-3468
Sponsor	Bay County Council on Aging, Inc.
Date established	1987
Primary target population	Older and disabled persons
Number of Persons Served/year	100
Percentage of Clients Aged 60 Years+	80%
No. of paid staff	1 full-time, 1 part-time
Most Common Modification/Repairs Provided	Weatherization
Type of Assessment	Environmental
Assessor(s)	Client, Family or friends
Provides Education/Training	Yes
Total Budget	$80,000
Funding Source(s)	Client Payments

St. Petersburg

CHORE SERVICE PROGRAM
Address	Pinellas Opportunity Council, P.O. Box 11088, St. Petersburg, FL 33713
Director	Joan M. Lainer
Phone Number	(727) 327-3091
Sponsor	Pinellas Opportunity Council
Date established	1977
Primary target population	Frail or disabled older persons
Number of Persons Served/year	2, 232
Percentage of Clients Aged 60 Years+	100%
No. of paid staff	29 full-time, 2 part-time
Most Common Modification/Repairs Provided	Cleaning, yardwork
Type of Assessment	Functional/environmental
Total Budget	$455,362
Funding Source(s)	Title III - Older Americans Act Community Development Block Grant State Community Care for the Elderly Program City and county social service allocations Client payments * Coordinates with both State Unit on Aging and Area Agency on Aging:
Special Features	Established a Better Living for Seniors Consortium and holds small group lunches with other agencies throughout the county to exchange and coordinate activities quarterly

Tampa

SENIOR HOME IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (SHIP)
Address	305 South Hyde Park, Tampa, FL 33606
Director	Angela Martinez
Phone Number	(813) 251-8437
Sponsor	The Centre for Women
Date established	1980
Primary target population	Older homeowners
Number of Persons Served/year	800
Percentage of Clients Aged 60 Years+	100%
No. of paid staff	12 full-time
Most Common Modification/Repairs Provided	Emergency repair, plumbing, weatherization
Type of Assessment	Environmental
Assessor(s)	Handyman
Total Budget	$443,868
Funding Source(s)	Title III - Older Americans Act Community Development Block Grant Donations * Coordinates with Area Agency on Aging
Special Features	Displaced homemakers or female single heads of households deliver all repairs

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