nrcshhm-National Directory of Home Modification Resources-Pennsylvania

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.

Allentown

Lehigh County Office of Aging At Adult Services
Contact Person	Robin Flores
Address	17 South Seventh Street Allentown, PA 18101
Phone Number	610-782-3036
Fax	610-820-2028
Most Common modification/Repairs Provided	House repair, handrails, ramps and bathrooms.
Type of Assessment	Functional
Special Features	Eligibility according to PACE guidelines, and charges are on a sliding scale; single income is less than $14,000; combine married income is less than $17,200
Cost To Client	Pays for materials, labor is free

Beaver

BEAVER COUNTY WEATHERIZATION PROGRAM
Contact Person	Joel U. Oravitz, Program Coordinator
Address	699 Fifth Street, Beaver, PA 15009
Director	(412) 775-6080
Sponsor	Redevelopment Authority, County of Beaver
Date established	1976
Primary target population	Older, low-income and disabled
Number of Persons Served/year	500
Percentage of Clients Aged 60 Years+	13%
No. of paid staff	12 full-time, 1 part-tim
Most Common Modification/Repairs Provided	Energy education, heating and cooling, weatherization
Type of Assessment	Environmental
Provides Education/Training	Yes
Total Budget	$500,570
Funding Source(s)	U.S. Department of Energy Weatherization Assistance Program, Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Oil Overcharge * Coordinates with an Area Agency on Aging
Special Features	* Educates all clients on ways to reduce utility bills and conserve energy

Chambersburg

HOME SUPPORT OF FRANKLIN COUNTY
Contact Person	218 N. 2nd Street, Chambersburg, PA 17201
Address	Gloria J. Sprenkle, Program Manage
Phone Number	(717) 263-2153
FAX	(717) 261-3198
Sponsor	Franklin County Area Agency on Aging (AAA)
Date established	1974
Primary target population	Older; must be a homeowner for repair work
Number of Persons Served/year	310
Percentage of Clients Aged 60 Years+	100%
No. of paid staff	1 full-time, 4 part-time
Most Common Modification/Repairs Provided	Miscellaneous minor repairs, minor modifications inc. ramps and handrails, general home repair
Type of Assessment	Functional/environmental
Assessor(s)	Case manager, Case aide, Occupational therapist, Client, Family or friends
Funding Source(s)	Title III - Older Americans Act, County share, Donations * Coordinates with State Unit on Aging
Special Features	* In-home service workers help make referrals for homes that need attention * Only allowed to do repairs/modifications that take no longer than 2 days

Chester

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REHABILITATION PROGRAM
Address	Government Services Center 601 Westtown Road, Suite 365, West Chester, PA 19380-0990
Director	Barbara W. Wilson, Director of Housing and Community Development
Phone Number	(610) 344-6900
Sponsor	Redevelopment Agency, Chester County
Date established	1976
Primary target population	Older, disabled, underpriviliged, homeless persons.
Number of Persons Served/year	70
Percentage of Clients Aged 60 Years+	70%
No. of paid staff	3 full-time
Most Common Modification/Repairs Provided	Roofs, heating and cooling, plumbing, electrical, doors and windows
Type of Assessment	Functional/environmental
Total Budget	$500,000
Funding Source(s)	Community Development Block Grant

Erie

Weatherization Program
Contact Person	Nick Di Placido
Address	18 West 9^th Street Erie, PA 16501
Phone Number	814-459-4581
Fax	814-456-0161
Sponsor	Greater Erie Community Action Committee
Date established	1977
Primary target population	Poverty
Percentage of Clients Aged 60 Years+	8%
No. of persons served/year	239
No. of paid staff	6
Most Common modification/Repairs Provided	Air filtration reduction
Provides Education/Training	Clients are taught to be energy-conservation minded.
Total Budget	$500,000
Funding Source(s)	* Department of Energy * National Fuel Gas GPU * Energy Assistance.
Special Features	Goal is to help low-income persons to consume less fuel.

Hamsburg

Family Caregiver Support Program
Contact Person	John Docrity
Address	555 Walnut Street Hamsburg, PA 17101
Phone Number	717-783-6842
Homepage	www.aging.state.pa.us
Primary target population	Over 60 years of age, and adults suffering from dementia.
No. of paid staff	6
Most Common modification/Repairs Provided	Grab bars and lowering cabinet levels.
Funding Source(s)	* Lottery funds * Block grants * The State Department of Aging.

Lewisburg

SEDA-COG Basic Home Improvement
Contact Person	J. Michael Fisher
Address	RR#1 Box 372 Lewisburg, PA 17837
Phone Number	717-524-4491
Fax	717-524-9190
Homepage	www.seda-cog.org
Date established	1988
Primary target population	Low-income and persons who need housing rehabilitation.
Percentage of Clients Aged 60 Years+	70-100%
No. of paid staff	4.5
Most Common modification/Repairs Provided	Upgrading structural systems: heating and electrical.
Total Budget	$125,000
Funding Source(s)	State grants and funds
Special Features	Provides safe and affordable housing for those with low to moderate incomes.

Montrose

Home Maintenance Program
Contact Person	Dennis Phelps
Address	10 Public Avenue Montrose, PA 18801
Phone Number	570-278-3338
Primary target population	At risk, elderly, handicapped and low-income individuals
No. of persons served/year	60-70
Most Common modification/Repairs Provided	Ramps and bathroom modifications.
Type of Assessment	Functional
Assessor	AAA or hospital guidelines
Total Budget	$60,000-$70,000
Funding Source(s)	CDBG and AAA

Philadelphia

Philadelphia Corporation for Aging
Contact Person	Ms. Susan Klein
Address	642 Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19130
Phone Number	215-765-9000
Fax	215-765-9066
Homepage	www.pcaphl.org
Date established	1980
Primary target population	Low-income, disabled seniors
Percentage of Clients Aged 60 Years+	100%
No. of persons served/year	150
No. of paid staff	16
Most Common modification/Repairs Provided	Railings, grab bars, ramps, and lifts.
Total Budget	$2,000,000
Funding Source(s)	CDBG and lottery

Lancaster County AAA
Contact Person	Jacqueline Burch, Director-Informational and Referral Dept.
Address	150 North Queen Street Lancaster, PA 17603
Phone Number	717-299-7979 or 1-800-801-3070
Primary target population	Elderly
No. of persons served/year	128
Most Common modification/Repairs Provided	Installing home modifications and assistive devices
Total Budget	$125,000
Funding Source(s)	* CDBG * Miscellaneous funds
Special Features	* Aim to keep older folks in their home. * Family caregivers support program. * Direct reimbursement to caregiver.

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St. Mary's

LIFE AND INDEPENDENCE FOR TODAY (LIFT)
Director	Robert A. Mecca
Address	503 East Arch Street St. Marys, PA 15857
Phone Number	814-781-3050
Fax Number	814-781-1917
Email	lift@liftcil.org
Homepage	www.liftcil.org
Primary target population	All ages, all disabilities
No. of persons served	50
Date Established	7/01/2001