nrcshhm-National Directory of Home Modification Resources-New York

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.

Please select a city

Albany

RESIDENTIAL EMERGENCY SERVICE TO OFFER
Contact Person	Vera Prosper, Housing Policy Analyst
Address	State Office on Aging #2 Empire State Plaza Albany, NY 1222
Phone Number	(518) 474-4382
Sponsor	New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal and the Office for the Aging (SUA)
Date established	1987
Primary target population	Older, very low-income homeowners
Number of Persons Served/year	350
Percentage of Clients Aged 60 Years+	100%
Most Common Modification/Repairs Provided	Roofs, heating and cooling, plumbing, electrical, carpentry
Type of Assessment	Environmental
Provides Education/Training	Yes
Total Budget	$750,000
Funding Source(s)	New York State general funds * Program serves clients statewide * Program is located in a state agency
Special Features	* Provides grants through state funds for emergency repairs to low-income homeowners

Bronx

CITIZEN ADVICE BUREAU
Address	1130 Grand Concourse 3rd Floor Bronx, NY 1045
Director	Dorothy Peters
Phone Number	(718) 293-0202
Sponsor	Citizens Advice Bureau
Primary target population	Older homeowners or tenants
Number of Persons Served/year	800
Percentage of Clients Aged 60 Years+	100%
No. of paid staff	5 full-time
Most Common Modification/Repairs Provided	Miscellaneous minor repairs
Type of Assessment	Environmental
Assessor(s)	Case manager Handyman
Provides Education/Training	Yes
Total Budget	$127,000
Funding Source(s)	Title III - Older Americans Act Client donations * Coordinates with Area Agency on Aging
Special Features	* Conducts a crime prevention workshops with New York City Police Department and eviction prevention workshops at senior centers, churches, colleges, hospitals and banks * Provides training workshops to agencies on housing rights and resources

Canandaigua

EMERGENCY HOME REHABILITATION AND REPAIR
Address	Bishop Sheen Ecumenical Housing Foundation, Incorporated 92 Salton Stall Street P.O. Box 412 Canandaigua, NY 1442
Director	Allynn Smith, Executive Director
Phone Number	(716) 396-1880
Sponsor	Bishop Sheen Ecumenical Housing Foundation, Incorporated
Date established	1968
Primary target population	Low-income families and individuals
Percentage of Clients Aged 60 Years+	40%
Most Common Modification/Repairs Provided	Roofs, sewer/septic systems, plumbing, electrical, other minor modifications
Type of Assessment	Functional/environmental
Assessor(s)	Client
Provides Education/Training	Yes
Total Budget	$1,088,800
Funding Source(s)	Farmers Home Administration Fundraising Affordable Housing Corporation
Special Features	* Offers a variety of loans and grants

Chester

Infinite Accessibility, LLC
Contact Person	Michael Gawronski, MS, OTR/L
Address	4 Pewter Circle Chester, NY 10918
Phone Number	845-469-2091
Fax	845-469-3626
E-mail	info@infiniteaccessibility.com
Homepage	www.infiniteaccessibility.com
Primary target population	All ages and abilities
Most Common Modification/Repairs Provided	Entrances, Ramps, Bathrooms, Kitchens, & Grab-bars.
Special Features	Family owned & operated; Team Approach with Occupational & Physical Therapists and Construction, Remodeling, & Design Specialists.
Date Established	10/03/01
Staff	2
Funding	Private; Third-party Reimbursement

Clayton

RURAL HOMEOWNERSHIP ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (RHAP)
Contact Person	Beth McGraw, Program Coordinator
Address	P.O. Box 99, 330B James Street Clayton, NY 1362
Phone Number	(315) 686-3212
Sponsor	Clayton Improvement Association, LTD
Primary target population	Low to moderate income - no age/disability requirements
No. of paid staff	3 full-time
Most Common Modification/Repairs Provided	Major home improvements
Type of Assessment	Environmental
Provides Education/Training	Yes
Total Budget	$72,859
Funding Source(s)	State Rural Homeownership Assistance Program Affordable Housing Grants Program
Special Features	* Offers many loan/grant sources for home improvements * Conducts seminars on affordable housing and banking to potential clients * Combines funding sources for clients

Cobleskill

SCHOHARIE COUNTY COMMUNITY ACTION-WEATHERIZATION PROGRAM
Address	150 East Main Street Cobleskill, NY 1204
Director	Peter Hamchuk, Weatherization Director
Phone Number	(518) 234-2568
Sponsor	New York State Department of State Weatherization
Date established	1976
Primary target population	Elderly and public assistance recipients
Number of Persons Served/year	150 households
Percentage of Clients Aged 60 Years+	60%
No. of paid staff	6 full-time
Most Common Modification/Repairs Provided	Storm windows, furnace replacement/repair, attic/wall insulation, infiltration work
Provides Education/Training	Yes
Total Budget	$225,000
Funding Source(s)	Donations Petroleum Violation Escrow Funds Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) * Coordinates with Area Agency on Aging:

Elizabethtown

HOUSING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Address	Box 157 Elizabethtown, NY 1293
Director	Alan S. Hipps, Executive Director
Phone Number	(518) 873-6888
Sponsor	Housing Assistance Program of Essex County, Incorporated
Date established	1976
Number of Persons Served/year	410
No. of paid staff	18 full-time, 2 part-time
Most Common Modification/Repairs Provided	Major home repair
Type of Assessment	Environmental
Provides Education/Training	Yes
Total Budget	$510,000
Funding Source(s)	Farmers Home Administration Department of Housing and Urban Development * Coordinates with State Unit on Aging and Area Agency on Aging
Special Features	* Provides a variety of loans/grants * Offers financial and indepeendent living counseling * Provides education programs by contract from the New York State Department of Energy * Coordinates many different funding sources for clients

Ithaca

TOMPKINS COUNTY HOME REPAIR
Contact Person	David Kenerson, Home Repair Coordinator
Address	225 S. Fulton Ithaca, NY 14850
Phone Number	(607) 273-2187
Sponsor	Better Housing for Tompkins County, Incorporated
Date established	1990
Number of Persons Served/year	45
Percentage of Clients Aged 60 Years+	70%
Most Common Modification/Repairs Provided	Roofs, carpentry, plumbing, doors and windows
Type of Assessment	Environmental
Assessor(s)	Handyman
Provides Education/Training	Yes
Funding Source(s)	Title III - Older Americans Act, County budgets, Client donations
Special Features	* Coordinates with Area Agency on Aging * Works with clients to obtain additional funds for repairs not available through the program

Lowville

HANDYMAN PROGRAM
Contact Person	Jane M. Bush, Specialist, Services for the Agin
Address	Leis County Office for the Aging, P.O. Box 408 Lowville, New York 1336
Phone Number	(315) 376-5313
Sponsor	Lewis County Office for the Aging (AAA) and Green Thumb, Incorporated
Primary target population	Older, low-income homeowners
Number of Persons Served/year	70
Percentage of Clients Aged 60 Years+	100%
No. of paid staff	3 full-time
Assessor(s)	Weatherization, cleaning, carpentry, painting, doors and windows
Provides Education/Training	Yes
Total Budget	$5,947
Funding Source(s)	Title III - Older Americans Act Client donations Green Thumb
Special Features	* Provides a senior forum educational program with various topics highlighted monthly such as safety in the home

Mayville

INDEPENDENT ENVIRONMENTS BARRIER REMOVAL PROGRAM
Address	2 Academy St. Mayville, NY 14757
Director	Carolyn Seymour, Executive Directo
Phone Number	(716) 753-4650
Sponsor	Chautauqua Home Rehabilitation and Improvement Corporation
Date established	1970
Primary target population	Frail older persons and disabled, both homeowners and renters
Number of Persons Served/year	81
Percentage of Clients Aged 60 Years+	90%
No. of paid staff	4 full-time, 1 part-time
Most Common Modification/Repairs Provided	Ramps, railings, grab bars, plumbin
Provides Education/Training	Environmental
Total Budget	$38,500
Funding Source(s)	Title III - Older Americans Act Foundations Donations State grant programs Client payments * Coordinates with Area Agency on Agin
Special Features	* Works with a local foundation to provide loans for adaptation at no interest

New York

MINOR HOME REPAIR PROGRAM
Address	New York Foundation for Senior Citizens 150 Nassau Street, Suite 1730 New York, NY 10038
Director	Maggie Higgins, Director of Programs
Phone Number	(212) 962-7653
Sponsor	New York Foundation for Senior Citizens
Date established	1983
Primary target population	Low/moderate income; older homeowners
Number of Persons Served/year	2,000
Percentage of Clients Aged 60 Years+	100%
Most Common Modification/Repairs Provided	12 full-time, 3 part-time
Type of Assessment	Plumbing, locks, weatherization, smoke alarms, miscellaneous minor repairs
Assessor(s)	Handyman
Provides Education/Training	Yes
Total Budget	$263,450
Funding Source(s)	Community Development Block Grant Foundations Donations Fundraising Client donations * Coordinates with Area Agency on Aging
Special Features	* Uses audio-visual aids, such as a home safety slide show, in presentations * Established a computerized client database

Norwich

COUNTY RURAL HOUSING REHABILITATION PROJECT
Address	5 Court Street Norwich, NY 1381
Contact Person	Mike Quarenat
Phone Number	(607) 337-1640, (607) 334-7714
Sponsor	Opportunity for Chenango
Date established	1985
Primary target population	Low/moderate income persons residing in rural target area
Number of Persons Served/year	50
Percentage of Clients Aged 60 Years+	60%
No. of paid staff	5 full-time
Most Common Modification/Repairs Provided	Major infrastructure repairs, smoke detectors, weatherization
Total Budget	$600,000
Funding Source(s)	Community Development Block Grant * Coordinates with an Area Agency on Aging
Special Features	* Involves the homeowners as much as possible in the entire rehabilitation process to give them home management experience (for example, taking part in the analysis of needs, selection of contractors, work inspections) * Provides grants and loans for low-income clients

WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Contact Person	Energy Division Director
Phone Number	(716) 945-1041
Sponsor	Cattarugus Community Action, Incorporated
Date established	1976
Primary target population	30% of homes (must be 60 years or older)
Number of Persons Served/year	162
Percentage of Clients Aged 60 Years+	47%
No. of paid staff	3 full-time
Most Common Modification/Repairs Provided	Heating and cooling, weatherization
Total Budget	$279, 414
Funding Source(s)	Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Exxon Oil Overcharge Funds * Coordinates with an Area Agency on Aging
Special Features	* Works closely with Community Development and the Area Agency on Aging to maximize available funds to benefit a household * Installs free water heaters in a low-income homes and monitors electric use through a pilot project with New York State Electric and Gas Company * Coordinates with Department of Social Services for emergency furnace replacements

Riverhead

RESIDENTIAL REPAIR
Contact Person	Judy Doll, Administraton
Address	Senior Citizen Program 200 Howell Avenue Riverhead, NY 1190
Phone Number	(516) 727-3200
Sponsor	Senior Citizen Program, Town of Riverhead
Date established	1980
Number of Persons Served/year	275
Percentage of Clients Aged 60 Years+	100%
No. of paid staff	5 part-time
Most Common Modification/Repairs Provided	Weatherization, plumbing, grab bars, ramps, cleaning
Provides Education/Training	Yes
Total Budget	$26,000
Special Features	Title III - Older Americans Act Contributions Town funds * Coordinates with State Unit on Aging

Rochester

The Ramp Doctor
Contact Person	Charles A. Daugherty, Owner
Address	415 Ames St Rochester, NY 14611
Phone Number	(585) 303-2392
Most Common Modification/Repairs Provided	Specialize in disability remodeling which encompasses: access ramps, widening doorways, lowering cabinets & counters, shower stalls, bathtub & toilet grab-bars, storage systems, and space consolidations.
Special Features	Free estimates, private pay

Sanamanca

WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Address	Cattarugus Community Action, Incorporated 25 Jefferson Street Sanamanca, NY 1477
Director	Kathy Jimerson, < color:black'>Energy Division Director
Phone Number	(716) 945-1041
Sponsor	Cattarugus Community Action, Incorporated
Date established	1976
Primary target population	30% of homes (must be 60 years or older)
Number of Persons Served/year	162
Percentage of Clients Aged 60 Years+	47%
No. of paid staff	3 full-time
Most Common Modification/Repairs Provided	Heating and cooling, weatherization
Assessor(s)	Social Worker
Total Budget	$279,414
Funding Source(s)	Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Exxon Oil Overcharge Funds * Coordinates with Area Agency on Aging
Special Features	* Works closely with Community Development and the Area Agency on Aging to maximize available funds to benefit a household * Installs free water heaters in a low-income homes and monitors electric use through a pilot project with New York State Electric and Gas Company * Coordinates with Department of Social Services for emergency furnace replacements

Scotia

BARRIER FREE SYSTEMS, INCORPORATED
Address	165 Freeman's Bridge Road Scotia, NY 12302
Director	Bruce D. Jackson, President
Phone Number	(518) 346-4169
Date established	1984
Primary target population	Physically challenged persons
No. of paid staff	5 full-time
Most Common Modification/Repairs Provided	Wheelchair lifts, stairlifts, vehicle conversions, general home modifications
Type of Assessment	Environmental
Total Budget	$500,000
Funding Source(s)	Client payments
Special Features	* Involved in residential, commercial, and vehicle accessibility

Syracuse

PROJECT FIX
Address	Elderly Support Services 1654 West Onondaga Street Syracuse, NY 13204
Director	Eleanor Carr, Director, Elderly Support Services
Phone Number	(315) 424-1804
Sponsor	Catholic Charities - Elderly Support Services
Date established	1986
Primary target population	Homeowners, usually women living alone
Number of Persons Served/year	275
Percentage of Clients Aged 60 Years+	100%
No. of paid staff	1 full-time, 1 part-time
Most Common Modification/Repairs Provided	Plumbing, carpentry, electrical, locks, general home modification
Type of Assessment	Functional/environmental
Assessor(s)	Case manager, handyman
Provides Education/Training	Yes
Total Budget	$38,000
Funding Source(s)	Title III - Older Americans Act Client payments Catholic Charities * Coordinates with Area Agency on Aging
Special Features	* Gives presntations to senior groups about making thier own home repairs, home safety and avoiding high priced contractors * Provides training to volunteer groups from churches, youth groups, and civic organizations * Has a Directory of Local Contractors who have signed letters of agreement to provide services at a set price * Has a resource list of volunteers from specific areas who will work for senior citizens at no cost

Ticonderoga

PRIDE HOMEOWNERSHIP ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Address	129 Montcalm Street Ticonderoga, NY 12883
Director	Rich Cunningham, Executive Director
Phone Number	(518) 585-6366
Sponsor	Preserve, Revitalize, Implement, Direct and Effect (PRIDE) Community Development of Ticonderoga, Incorporated
Date established	1986
Primary target population	Very low to low-income residents, serves Ticonderoga and Washington Counties.
Number of Persons Served/year	100
Percentage of Clients Aged 60 Years+	80%
No. of paid staff	2 full-time
Most Common Modification/Repairs Provided	Roofs, heating and cooling, electrical, plumbing, weatherization
Type of Assessment	Environmental
Total Budget	$22,000
Funding Source(s)	Rural Homeownership Assistance Program * Coordinates with Area Agency on Aging
Special Features	* Counsels clients on financing options that include leveraged funds or loans from sources such as the New York State Energy Conservation Bank, Farmers Home Administration and the County Weatherization Program * Conducts workshops and provides print materials related to home pre-purchase and home repair for lower income persons

Utica

EXPANDED IN-HOME SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY PROGRAM (EISEP)
Address	Oneida County Office for the Aging 520 Seneca St. Utica, NY 13502
Director	Gladys Buck
Phone Number	(315) 798-5770
Sponsor	Oneida County Office for the Aging (AAA)
Date established	1987
Primary target population	Functionally impaired homeowners
Number of Persons Served/year	240
Percentage of Clients Aged 60 Years+	100%
No. of paid staff	25 part-time
Most Common Modification/Repairs Provided	Alarm system, durable medical equipment, ramps, general home repair, living modification
Type of Assessment	Functional/environmental
Assessor(s)	Social worker