FORT FAIRFIELD, Maine — The Housing Authority of Fort Fairfield has received $75,000 from MaineHousing to help Aroostook County residents who are 55 or older or who have disabilities stay in their homes longer.
The Home Modification for Seniors Program (HMS) provides high-impact, low-cost minor repairs to homes in Aroostook County. The Housing Authority of Fort Fairfield is one of 10 programs across the state, and the only agency in Aroostook County, to receive MaineHousing funding to address these critical needs.
According to HAFF officials, with the shortage of elderly/disabled housing throughout Aroostook County, the home modification service provides home repair that enhances safety in homes. Many buildings are old, and simple items such as smoke detectors are often overlooked.
The housing authority’s maintenance team works with homeowners to repair and modify their homes as people grow older. Improvements include installing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, adding grab bars, railings, doorbells, shower heads and many others. The maintenance team will refer the homeowner to other agencies if the projects are too large for them. Items such as roofs, windows, ramps, flooring and weatherization are outside of the housing authority’s scope.
This program has assisted over 70 households in Aroostook County. The Housing Authority of Fort Fairfield would like to continue to help others feel safe and live in their homes longer, officials said in a press release, and is grateful to MaineHousing for providing the funding this program for another year.
For more information about the Home Modification for Seniors Program, contact the housing authority in Fort Fairfield at 207-476-5771.
