FF elderly residents benefit from vouchers
FORT FAIRFIELD, Maine — Some elderly homeowners in Fort Fairfield and neighboring towns may be able to receive age-friendly home modifications through the Fort Fairfield Housing Authority, under a $50,000 state grant.
The Fort Fairfield Housing Authority is one of five municipal housing departments to receive a grant from the Maine State Housing Authority.
With the growing ranks of seniors living in older homes and a dearth of affordable rentals, the agency launched a pilot project aimed at helping senior citizen homeowners age in place with slight modifications, such as handrails and shower tools.
“It’s very expensive to build elderly housing, but maybe we can allow people to age in place longer in their own homes if we go in and do some modifications,” said Wayne Troicke, executive director of the Fort Fairfield Housing Authority, during the town’s last council meeting.
The grant will take the Fort Fairfield Housing Authority beyond its typical scope overseeing several affordable and elderly apartments in the town, with modifications available for lower- and middle-income seniors living in a home owned by them or a relative.
The program will be offered to individuals over the age of 65 with individual income of up to $40,000 or dual household income of not more than $45,700.
Trocke said the work will be targeted at relatively inexpensive additions or modifications like installing grab bars in bathrooms, U-shaped door knobs, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
For those who could benefit from insulation or entrance ramps, the Housing Authority will refer homeowners to the Aroostook County Action Program and Alpha One.
Trocke said the housing authority will be drawing up business plans and be releasing more information and outreach in early 2017.
