ACTION GUIDE

Partnering to Expand Access 

to Home Modifications, Repairs, 

and Weatherization for 

Community Living
2 Partnering to Expand Access to Home Modifications, Repairs, and Weatherization for Community Living

This action guide is designed to provide approaches for aging, disability, and health 

organizations on ways to build partnerships with the housing sector for home modifications, 

repairs, and weatherization services. These partnerships can improve the accessibility and safety 

of existing housing, and support community living for older adults and people with disabilities. 

The priority for action should be the populations with the greatest social and greatest economic 

needs, including individuals who are low-income, underserved, and living in rural communities.

What Are Home 

Modifications?

Home modifications are changes made to a 

home that help create a living environment 

that is accessible, safe, and promotes 

independence. These changes can include 

removing hazards, such as removing clutter 

on the floor that could lead to falls or other 

injuries. They may also involve adding 

supportive features, such as those that improve 

a person’s ability to engage in daily activities, 

care for themselves, or maintain access to 

community participation. Home modifications 

also include assistive technology (AT)—

devices, technology, and services that help 

people manage everyday tasks and navigate 

the home, such as transfer benches for bathing 

and voice-activated controls for lighting, 

blinds, and thermostats.

In addition to home modifications, 

weatherization and home repairs are also 

important. Weatherization is the process 

of protecting a home’s interior from outside 

elements like moisture, cold air in winter, hot, 

humid air in summer, and even sun, snow, and 

ice damage. Home repairs range from major, 

such as fixing roof or foundation problems, to 

minor, such as tightening loose handrails or 

removing door thresholds.

Why Focus on Home 

Modifications, Repairs, 

and Weatherization?

Home modifications, repairs, and 

weatherization can help reduce falls, make 

daily activities and/or caregivers’ work easier, 

and improve the ability of older adults and 

people with disabilities to live in their homes. 

The accessibility of the home environment 

impacts the health of its occupants. Barriers 

to individuals’ ability to safely conduct daily 

activities include a slippery step-in bathtub, 

fall hazards such as inadequate lighting, 

and weatherization issues such as a broken 

heating or cooling system. These barriers 

can negatively impact a person’s ability to 

maintain their health and independence.
3 Partnering to Expand Access to Home Modifications, Repairs, and Weatherization for Community Living

Home modifications, repairs, and 

weatherization often go hand in hand to make 

homes safe and accessible. For example, a 

home may require roof or plumbing repairs 

before modifications can be implemented. 

A safe, accessible home will not support 

community living if it has unaddressed 

weatherization needs that affect individuals’ 

health and safety, such as a basement that 

floods. Read the “Know the Lingo” section of 

this guide for definitions of each service type 

and where to learn more.

Why Is It Important to 

Increase Access to Home 

Modifications, Repairs, 

and Weatherization for 

Older Adults and People 

with Disabilities?

Most people with disabilities and older 

adults want to live and age at home in 

their communities. The vast majority live 

in the community, primarily in their own 

homes. These include single-family houses, 

apartments, manufactured homes, and other 

types of dwellings. Less than five percent of 

older adults and people with disabilities live 

in nursing homes or other institutional care 

settings.1 Surveys have shown that between 

77 and 88 percent of Americans over age 

50 want to continue to live in their homes and 

communities as their needs change over time, 

rather than move to an institutional setting.2,3

Unless built with universal design 

standards that make living spaces 

easier to use, homes can present barriers to 

independence and hazards to safety. Most 

homes were not built with features that support 

individuals’ ability to perform their daily 

activities, such as bathing and cooking, should 

they develop mobility impairments. Fewer 

than four percent of U.S. residential units are 

suitable for people with moderate mobility 

disabilities; about one percent are wheelchair 

accessible.4 Also, 28 percent of households 

with adults age 65 years and older have at 

least one person who has difficulty using some 

element of the home, such as climbing stairs 

or using the bathtub.5

Challenges in Rural Housing

Some of the populations with the greatest 

need for home modifications, repairs, and 

weatherization reside in rural communities. 

One quarter of Americans age 65 and older 

live in rural areas. About 80 percent of rural 

older adults own their homes. Three in five 

homes in rural communities were built before 

1980. Among rural homeowners, nearly 

two out of every five homes need major 

modifications for easier aging in place. 

Most homes in rural areas are single-family 

residences, which often require a high level 

of maintenance.6 People often delay making 

modifications due to cost and difficulty 

performing the work.
4 Partnering to Expand Access to Home Modifications, Repairs, and Weatherization for Community Living

Challenges in Rental Housing

Low-income renters face unique challenges 

with affording and accessing home 

modifications, repairs, and weatherization. 

In 2021, more than 2.2 million older, very 

low-income renter households had severe cost 

burdens, were living in severely inadequate 

housing, or both.7 Also, renters and landlords 

alike may not be familiar with Fair Housing 

policies that protect the rights of renters 

with disabilities. See the resources section 

at the end of this guide to learn more about 

fair housing.

Why Is the Housing Sector 

a Natural Partner?

Partnerships with organizations in the housing 

sector are critical to organizations that 

provide home modifications, repairs, and 

weatherization services. Some of 

the many benefits of partnering with 

housing organizations include:

n Access to specialized funding sources 

and expertise.

n Support to document the need for home 

modifications, repairs, and weatherization 

in the community.

n Contribution of a housing perspective.

n Development of champions within the 

housing sector who can build awareness, 

knowledge, and engagement among 

their peers.

These partnerships can bring about long-term 

change, including increased access to home 

modifications, repairs, and weatherization 

services for older adults and people with 

disabilities and improved coordination of 

these services.
5 Partnering to Expand Access to Home Modifications, Repairs, and Weatherization for Community Living

Know the Lingo

Home modifications are changes made 

to a home that help create a living 

environment that is safe, accessible, and 

promotes independence for the people 

who live in them. These changes can 

include removing hazards and adding 

supportive features. Learn more at 

The Fall Prevention Center of Excellence8

and the Assistive Technology Training 

and Technical Assistance Center (AT3).

9

Home repairs range from major, such as 

fixing roof or foundation problems, to 

minor, such as tightening loose handrails 

or removing door thresholds. Some 

minor repairs may be conducted by 

volunteers, while more complex repairs 

require the specialized expertise of 

experienced housing professionals.

Universal design is designing products 

and environments to be useable by all 

people, to the greatest extent possible, 

without the need for adaptation or 

specialized design. Learn more at The 

Center for Universal Design at North 

Carolina State University.

10

Visitability is creating homes that are 

minimally accessible to both residents 

and guests. Visitable homes have: 

n At least one entrance with zero steps; 

n Interior doors that are at least 

32 inches wide; and 

n At least a half bathroom, but 

preferably a full bathroom, on the 

main level. 

Learn more at visitability.org.

11

Weatherization reduces energy costs for 

low-income households while ensuring 

the occupants’ health and safety. It 

addresses the whole house and building 

systems as well as health and safety 

issues. Learn more at Weatherization 

Assistance Program.

12
6 Partnering to Expand Access to Home Modifications, Repairs, and Weatherization for Community Living

The information below can help organizations connect with housing 

organizations to explore ways to work together to promote community living for people 

with disabilities and older adults.

Which Housing 

Organizations Support 

Home Modifications, 

Repairs, and Weatherization 

in Existing Homes?

The housing sector presents many 

opportunities for collaboration with 

disability, aging, and health organizations. 

Certain housing organizations are already 

involved in partnerships to promote home 

modifications, repairs, and weatherization 

in their communities. These include volunteer 

groups such as Habitat for Humanity and 

Rebuilding Together, non-profit housing 

associations and non-profits serving veterans), 

local business associations for home builders 

and remodelers, housing providers, public 

housing authorities, and Neighborhood 

Housing Services organizations. The 

housing sector also has many other types of 

organizations that can also play a role in 

home modifications, such as home-building 

supply stores, housing manufacturers, and 

home technology companies.

Essential Steps to Building 

Partnerships with 

Housing Organizations

Prepare

n Develop a list of what you know about 

the population you serve and their 

home modification needs. Consider the 

following questions:

n Which organizations can help you with 

these needs?

n Do you already have relationships with 

any of these organizations?

n Can you build on these relationships?

n Where are the gaps of specific needs 

you would like to address?

n What additional organizations can 

assist you?

n Find housing entities in your community 

(see links at the end of this action guide).
7 Partnering to Expand Access to Home Modifications, Repairs, and Weatherization for Community Living

n Become familiar with potential partners’ 

missions, strategic plans, goals, and 

possible motivators. Consider the 

following questions:

n Whom do they serve?

n What do they provide?

n What were their accomplishments 

last year?

n Learn partners’ key terms to promote 

effective communication (you can start with 

this list of terms and acronyms13 from the 

Housing and Services Resource Center). 

n Seek champions in the community who have 

a vision and are committed to change. 

Approach

n Reach out to or seek connections to get an 

introduction to housing organizations.

n Schedule meetings and set goals for 

initial outreach. 

n Outline existing services, demands/needs, 

preferences, data sources. 

n Ask about their organization, the 

populations they serve and their 

needs, and annual goals. Consider the 

following questions: 

n What do your organizations have 

in common? 

n Where are opportunities to leverage 

expertise and/or work together? 

n Discuss opportunities to work 

together to achieve mutual and 

individual organization goals. 

n Offer examples on how partnering will 

support housing entities’ goals and 

bottom lines.

n Suggest opportunities to fill gaps and 

expand their reach/impact.

n Highlight whether you serve the same 

or similar populations and discuss 

how a partnership can create better 

outcomes for the people you serve.

n Share examples of how they can help 

you and your organization.

n Find common ground that will provide a 

foundation for the planning phase.

Create a Plan

n Create a shared vision for success.

n Clarify terminology and get on the 

same page.

n Set priorities that will be mutually beneficial.

n Select/adopt/create a home modifications, 

repairs, and weatherization service 

delivery approach.

n Identify funding and in-kind resources to 

braid or leverage.
8 Partnering to Expand Access to Home Modifications, Repairs, and Weatherization for Community Living

TIP: For more approaches to establishing cross-sector partnerships that 

promote home modifications, check out Action Guide 1: The Power of Cross Sector 

Partnerships to Advance Home Modifications on the Housing and Services Resource 

Center website.

14

Finding Common Ground

The activities described below can serve 

as focal points in which to engage housing 

organizations. Examples of partnerships that 

bring together aging, disability, health, and 

housing are provided in the next section. 

Educate Consumers

Many people do not know how to find home 

modifications, repairs, and weatherization 

services, let alone determine whether they 

meet varying eligibility requirements for 

programs that may assist them. Housing 

organizations that interact with older adults 

and people with disabilities can educate 

consumers about home modifications and 

assistive technology for community living. Fact 

sheets and videos on the benefits of home 

modifications for diverse populations are 

available at www.homemods.org. Examples 

of assistive technology that can be used to 

modify people’s homes can be found at the 

AT3 Center website.

15

Engage Volunteers

Non-profit housing organizations, such 

as Rebuilding Together16 and Habitat for 

Humanity,17 as well as some corporations 

with foundations such as Wells Fargo,18 offer 

opportunities to give back to their communities 

through volunteering. By working with these 

organizations, you not only leverage the 

impact of the volunteer efforts, but also 

provide them with a better understanding 

of the need for programs, products, and 

design features that support community living, 

particularly in underserved communities. 

Provide In-Kind Contributions

Housing organizations can also provide inkind contributions. By donating materials or 

lending expertise, they can support the efforts 

of aging, disability, or health organizations 

while gaining public recognition for their 

efforts. Collaboration is also a way to share 

their resources with a new audience. 
9 Partnering to Expand Access to Home Modifications, Repairs, and Weatherization for Community Living

Streamline Access to Services

It can be challenging for people in the 

community to access needed home 

modifications, repairs, and weatherization 

services. People can get bounced around 

to different agencies or put on waitlists. 

Applications can be complex. When 

encountering these barriers to access, people 

often give up. 

Partnerships can help providers mobilize 

services and create efficiencies, especially 

when there are multiple players in the 

community. Partnerships can coordinate 

efforts to increase access to existing home 

modifications, repairs, and weatherization 

services. They offer opportunities to learn 

about services that community organizations 

offer and provide cross referrals. 

Examples of Partnerships for 

Improved Service Delivery

Bath Housing, Comfortably Home in 

Maine provides safety checks, accessibility 

modifications, and minor repairs at no 

cost to low-income older adults or people 

with disabilities who are homeowners. 

Modifications and repairs include smoke and 

carbon monoxide detectors, light bulbs, grab 

bars and handrails, drawer pulls, storm door 

winterizing, and entry/exit improvements. 

As a result of these improvements, 

residents receiving this support report 

fewer falls, fewer 911 calls, and fewer 

hospitalizations. Grants from MaineHousing 

fund the replication of Comfortably Home 

by public housing authorities, community 

action programs, and Habitat for Humanity 

affiliates with paid staff. Visit the Bath Housing 

website19 to learn more.

Civic Works, Housing Upgrades to Benefit 

Seniors (HUBS) in Baltimore, Maryland, is 

a collaborative program that connects lowincome older adults to home improvement 

services that make homes healthier, 

more accessible, and more secure. The 

services include home repairs, accessibility 

improvements, rehabilitation, weatherization, 

and environmental hazard remediation. 

Examples include grab bars and handrails, 

roof and plumbing repair, and insulation. 

Social workers provide application assistance 

for these resources and assist clients with 

accessing other benefits. HUBS members 

include Civic Works, Green & Healthy Homes 

Initiative (GHHI), Neighborhood Housing 

Services (NHS) of Baltimore, and Rebuilding 

Together Baltimore. Partners include the 

Maryland Access Point for long-term services 

and supports (the aging and disability 

resource center), Maryland Energy Assistance 

Program, and the Keswick Wise and Well 

Center for Healthy Living. Learn more on the 

Civic Works website.

20
10 Partnering to Expand Access to Home Modifications, Repairs, and Weatherization for Community Living

The Orange County Home Preservation 

Coalition (OCHPC) in North Carolina 

coordinates organizations that provide 

home repairs and modifications to residents 

of Orange County. Many families that the 

coalition serves include adults age 55 and 

older and people with disabilities who are 

low-income homeowners. OCHPC was formed 

as part of the Orange County Department 

on Aging’s Master Aging Plan development 

process to increase service coordination 

and decrease the burden on service seekers, 

many of whom are older adults. Services of 

coalition partners include minor home safety 

improvements (such as installing grab bars and 

railings); critical repairs and weatherization 

(including roof replacements, plumbing and 

electrical); and accessibility modifications (such 

as ramps or accessible bathroom renovations). 

Partners include the OC Department on 

Aging; OC Housing and Community 

Development; Rebuilding Together of the 

Triangle; Habitat for Humanity of Orange 

County; Central Piedmont Community Action, 

Inc.; and University of North Carolina Chapel 

Hill’s Community Practice Lab. Initial grant 

funding from the Southeast Energy Efficiency 

Alliance supported the development of a 

unified intake and assessment process, a 

shared online database to coordinate referrals 

among partners, and compensated partners 

for developing and participating in the 

coalition. Partners provide home repairs and 

meet monthly to review cases. 

OCHPC has improved communication and 

collaboration among organizations and 

increased access to repair services for Orange 

County residents. Since grant 

funding concluded, partners continue 

to share administrative and service delivery 

responsibilities, with the goal of integrating 

operating expenses into county budgets. Learn 

more about OCHPC’s process, outcomes, and 

sustainability plans on its website.

21

Relevant Evidence-Based Programs 

that Promote Partnerships

The Community Aging in Place—Advancing 

Better Living for Elders (CAPABLE) program 

uses a team consisting of an occupational 

therapist, a registered nurse, and a 

handyperson to improve a participant’s ability 

to conduct daily activities in the home. This 

multidisciplinary approach, which has been 

shown to decrease hospitalizations and 

nursing home stays, can involve different 

agencies to deliver the program. Providers 

include area agencies on aging, centers for 

independent living, hospitals, and non-profits 

such as Habitat for Humanity and Rebuilding 

Together. CAPABLE locations across the 

country, and coverage for support, are 

growing in number.22,23 ACL’s the National 

Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and 

Rehabilitation Research has supported grantfunded research on the modification of the 

CAPABLE program for different populations of 

people with disabilities (e.g., individuals who 

receive home-based primary care, medically 

complex children, individuals with mild 

cognitive impairment/dementia) and family 

caregivers of people with disabilities. For 

information on the CAPABLE program, visit the 

CAPABLE National Center. 
11 Partnering to Expand Access to Home Modifications, Repairs, and Weatherization for Community Living

The Home Hazard Removal Program (HARP)

addresses home hazards and fall risk behaviors 

for older adults at high risk of falling. An 

occupational therapist assesses the individual, 

their behavior, and their environment. They 

then create a tailored and client-centered plan 

for minor home repairs and modifications, 

adaptive equipment, task modification, as 

well as education and self-management 

strategies. HARP was developed with funding 

from the U.S. Department of Housing and 

Urban Development (HUD) and tested with 

involvement from an area agency on aging, 

including referrals and outreach. For more 

information, visit the HARP website.

24

ADDITIONAL HOME MODIFICATIONS, 

REPAIRS, AND WEATHERIZATION 

PARTNERSHIP EXAMPLES

Additional detailed examples of partnerships 

with housing entities are outlined in the Fall 

Prevention Center of Excellence’s Case Studies 

in Home Modification Service Delivery: State 

and Local Aging Network Efforts Across the 

United States.

25 The case studies highlight 

partnerships that bring together the aging, 

disability, health, and housing sectors. Featured 

partners include area agencies on aging, 

centers for independent living, state assistive 

technology programs, state units on aging, 

nursing home transition programs, and nonprofit housing organizations. Each case study 

describes program operations (eligibility, 

outreach, referrals, intake, assessment, delivery 

process, follow-up), funding, partnerships, 

challenges, and ingredients for success.

Know What Resources Are 

Available to Support Your Work

The resources listed below can help your 

organization learn more about establishing 

partnerships that support home modifications, 

repair, and weatherization.

FALL PREVENTION CENTER OF EXCELLENCE

The Fall Prevention Center of Excellence 

(FPCE)26 at the University of Southern 

California Leonard Davis School of 

Gerontology27 is dedicated to promoting 

aging in place and independent living for 

persons of all ages and abilities. It offers 

research, training, and technical assistance 

opportunities for professionals who wish 

to respond to the increasing demand for 

home modification services and address fall 

prevention in the home environment. FPCE 

also serves as an information clearinghouse 

on home modification for professionals and 

consumers with resources such as the National 

Directory of Home Modification and Repair 

Resources. In addition, check out the Home 

Modification Information Network and home 

modification toolkit.

HOUSING AND SERVICES RESOURCE CENTER

The Housing and Services Resource Center 

(HSRC)28 was created for people who 

work in the organizations and systems that 

provide housing resources and homelessness 

services, health services, independent living 

services and other supportive services, and 

others who are working to help people live 
12 Partnering to Expand Access to Home Modifications, Repairs, and Weatherization for Community Living

successfully and stably in the community. 

Its goal is to foster collaboration and crosssector partnerships to streamline access to 

services, better leverage resources, and 

make community living possible for more 

people. The Center is a partnership between 

the U.S. Department of Health and Human 

Services and the U.S. Department of Housing 

and Urban Development,

29 and its website 

provides practical, actionable information for 

aging and disability services professionals.

AT3 CENTER

The AT3 Center30 is the Assistive Technology 

Act National Training, Technical Assistance 

and Public Internet Site project funded under 

a grant award by the Administration for 

Community Living at U.S. Department of 

Health and Human Services. The mission 

of the AT3 Center is to increase access to 

and acquisition of AT by individuals with 

disabilities across the lifespan. AT3 provides 

technical assistance and supports to State and 

Territory Assistive Technology Programs funded 

under Section 4 of the Assistive Technology 

Act of 1998, as amended (P.L. 108-364). Find 

your state AT program by using AT program 

directory search tool on the AT3 website.

Consult the following resources for potential 

partners in your area and relevant services, 

programs, and information.

FAIR HOUSING AND RENTERS’ RIGHTS

The Fair Housing Amendments Act protects 

the rights of renters with disabilities to 

accessible homes. Learn more to increase 

access to home modifications and 

repairs for renters with disabilities from 

the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban 

Development’s Office of Fair Housing and 

Equal Opportunity and other sources below:

n Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

n Reasonable Accommodations and 

Modifications.

n Accessibility Requirements for Buildings.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

Habitat for Humanity developed the Housing 

Plus model, which takes a person-centered, 

holistic approach to address older adults’ 

needs through home modifications, repairs, 

and community services. Learn more on their 

aging in place services webpage.

31 Visit their 

directory32 to find a Habitat for Humanity 

affiliate in your area. Habitat also created 

the comprehensive Bridging the Gap guide33

to support effective home modifications and 

home repair partnerships between health and 

housing organizations, including participation 

in CAPABLE model implementation.

NATIONAL COUNCIL ON INDEPENDENT LIVING

The National Council on Independent Living 

represents individuals with disabilities, centers 

for independent living, statewide independent 

living councils, and other organizations. It 

developed a home modifications fact sheet34

that includes promising practices and 

examples of home modification programs led 

by CILs.
13 Partnering to Expand Access to Home Modifications, Repairs, and Weatherization for Community Living

NEIGHBORWORKS AMERICA

NeighborWorks America is a non-profit 

network35 of community organizations 

that create opportunities for people to live 

in safe, healthy, and affordable homes. 

Members include coalitions, community 

action partnerships, community development 

corporations, neighborhood housing services, 

and other community organizations that 

provide services and property management. 

Visit their directory36 to find a member in your 

area. Also, visit this webpage37 to learn more 

about their partnerships to rehabilitate and 

weatherize homes in rural communities.

REBUILDING TOGETHER

Rebuilding Together conducts a Safe at 

Home program38 that provides no-cost home 

modifications to people with disabilities and 

older adults with low incomes to improve 

accessibility, reduce falls, and increase 

independence. Safe at Home’s services include 

critical repairs, fall prevention strategies, 

accessibility modifications that address 

changing mobility needs, and fire prevention 

strategies. Visit this webpage39 to find a 

Rebuilding Together affiliate in your area.

RURAL DEVELOPMENT, U.S. 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

The Office of Rural Development offers loans 

and grants to buy, build, or repair homes 

in rural areas. Home improvements include 

repairs and home modifications to increase 

health, safety, and accessibility. 

Programs are available for people 

with low incomes, non-profit providers of 

single-family housing,

40 and property owners 

of multi-family housing41 to develop and 

rehabilitate properties for low-income people 

who are older or living with disabilities. 

Use this webpage42 to find your local Rural 

Development Office and learn about loan and 

grant programs in your state.

STATE HOUSING FINANCE AGENCIES

State housing finance agencies work to meet 

the affordable housing needs of their states’ 

residents. They administer affordable housing, 

rural housing, and community development 

programs that focus on homeownership, 

rental, and special needs housing. Learn more 

from the National Council of State Housing 

Finance Agencies,

43 and visit this webpage44

to find a housing finance agency in your area. 

WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

The Weatherization Assistance Program45

reduces energy costs for low-income 

households while ensuring the occupants’ 

health and safety. It addresses the whole 

house and building systems—the exterior; 

heating, cooling, and electrical systems; and 

electric appliances—and includes health and 

safety measures such as minor repairs and 

mold hazard evaluation. Use this webpage46

to find your state weatherization administrator.
14 Partnering to Expand Access to Home Modifications, Repairs, and Weatherization for Community Living

Conclusion

To live independently and safely in the 

community, many people with disabilities 

and older adults need home modifications, 

repairs, and weatherization. These needs 

are particularly acute in rural areas, among 

renters, and for individuals with low incomes. 

Partnerships among aging, disability, and 

health organizations with the housing sector 

can bring about long-term change. Successful 

partnerships have increased access to these 

services and improved service coordination 

for these populations. 

There are many different forms 

that these partnerships can take, and a 

variety of ways they can address the needs in 

their community. The first step is to develop a 

relationship and begin to build a partnership 

using the steps and resources in this action 

guide. Consider how you might adapt or 

replicate the featured models and strategies. 

Additional information on home modifications, 

accessibility, and cross-sector partnerships is 

available on the HSRC website.

47

Endnotes

1 Michigan Center on the Demography of Aging, National Health and 

Aging Trends Study Chart Book, 2021, https://micda.isr.umich.edu/

wp-content/uploads/2022/03/NHATS-Companion-Chartbook-toTrends-Dashboards-2020.pdf.

2 AARP Research, 2018 Home and Community Preferences: A 

National Survey of Adults Age 18-Plus, July 2019, www.aarp.org/

pri/topics/livable-communities/2018-home-community-preference.

3 University of Michigan, Institute for Healthcare Policy and 

Innovation, National Poll on Healthy Aging, April 13, 2022, https://

www.healthyagingpoll.org/reports-more/report/older-adultspreparedness-age-place; Fact sheet available at: https://deepblue.

lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/172128/0268_NPHAAging-in-Place-report-FINAL.pdf?sequence=4&isAllowed=y.

4 Joint Center for Housing Studies, Harvard University, 2016.

5 United States Census Bureau, Old Housing, New Needs: Are U.S. 

Homes Ready for an Aging Population? May 2020, www.census.

gov/library/publications/2020/demo/p23-217.html.

6 AARP Livable Communities, AARP Rural Livability Workshop 

Report, October 2020, www.aarp.org/livable-communities/tool-kitsresources/info-2020/rural-livability-workshop-report.html.

7 Joint Center for Housing Studies, Harvard University, Housing 

Perspectives: Housing for America’s Older Adults: Four Problems We 

Must Address, August 2022, www.jchs.harvard.edu/blog/housingamericas-older-adults-four-problems-we-must-address.

8 Fall Prevention Center of Excellence, https://homemods.org.

9 Assistive Technology Training and Technical Assistance (AT3) 

Center, AT Is A Part of Everyday Life: Housing, March 2023: https://

at3center.net/wp-content/uploads/publications/accessible-atawareness-for-housing.pdf.

10 North Carolina State University, College of Design, Center for 

Universal Design, 1997, https://design.ncsu.edu/research/centerfor-universal-design.

11 National Council on Independent Living, Visitability: Basic Access 

to Homes, 2023, https://visitability.org/.

12 U.S. Department of Energy, Weatherization Assistance Program,

www.energy.gov/scep/wap/weatherization-assistance-program.

13 Housing and Services Resource Center, Relevant Acronyms and 

Terms, April 2023, https://acl.gov/HousingAndServices/acronyms.

14 Housing and Services Resource Center,

https://acl.gov/HousingAndServices.

15 Assistive Technology Training and Technical Assistance (AT3) 

Center, AT Is A Part of Everyday Life: Housing, March 2023: https://

at3center.net/wp-content/uploads/publications/accessible-atawareness-for-housing.pdf.

16 Rebuilding Together, www.rebuildingtogether.org.

17 Habitat for Humanity, www.habitat.org.
15 Partnering to Expand Access to Home Modifications, Repairs, and Weatherization for Community Living

18 Wells Fargo, Community Living, www.wellsfargo.com/about/

corporate-responsibility/community-giving.

19 Bath Housing, Comfortably Home, www.bathhousing.org/

comfortably-home.

20 Civic Works, Elder Services, https://civicworks.com/programs/

elder-services.

21 Orange County North Carolina, Orange County Home Preservation 

Coalition, www.orangecountync.gov/2465/Orange-County-HomePreservation-Coalition.

22 AARP Public Policy Institute. CAPABLE: A Model of Empowering 

Older Adults to Remain Independent, December 2022, https://doi.

org/10.26419/ppi.00180.001.

23 Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, Community Aging in 

Place—Advancing Better Living for Elders (CAPABLE) Program,

https://nursing.jhu.edu/faculty_research/research/projects/capable.

24 Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, 

Program in Occupational Therapy, Participation, Environment, & 

Performance Laboratory, Home Hazard Removal Program (HARP),

https://starklab.wustl.edu/resources/harp.

25 USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, Case Studies in Home 

Modification Service Delivery: State and Local Aging Network 

Efforts Across the United States, https://fktf77.p3cdn1.secureserver.

net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/USC.HM_.CaseStudyReport..

pdf?time=1684834539.

26 Fall Prevention Center of Excellence, http://homemods.org.

27 USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, http://gero.usc.edu.

28 Housing and Services Resource Center, https://acl.gov/

HousingAndServices.

29 Housing and Services Resource Center, Partners for Accessible, 

Affordable Housing AND Supportive Services, https://acl.gov/

HousingAndServices/Partners.

30 AT3 Center, About AT3 Center, https://at3center.net/about-at3-

center.

31 Habitat for Humanity, Aging in Place with Habitat for Humanity,

www.habitat.org/our-work/aging-in-place.

32 Habitat for Humanity, 

Find your local Habitat for Humanity,

www.habitat.org/volunteer/near-you/find-your-local-habitat.

33 Habitat for Humanity, Bridging the Gap,

www.habitat.org/our-work/aging-in-place/bridging-the-gap.

34 National Council on Independent Living, Home Modifications 

Fact Sheet for Centers for Independent Living, January 2022, 

https://ncil.org/resources/home-mod-fact-sheet-for-cils.

35 NeighborWorks America, Our Network, www.neighborworks.org/

Our-Network.

36 NeighborWorks America, Network Directory, www.neighborworks.

org/Our-Network/Network-Directory.

37 NeighborWorks America, Rural Partnerships, www.neighborworks.

org/Community/Rural.

38 Rebuilding Together, Safe At Home, https://rebuildingtogether.org/

safe-at-home.

39 Rebuilding Together, Find Your Local Affiliate,

https://rebuildingtogether.org/find-your-local-affiliate.

40 U.S. Department of Agriculture, Single Family Housing Programs,

www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/single-family-housing-programs.

41 U.S. Department of Agriculture, Multi-Family Housing Programs,

www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/multi-family-housing-programs.

42 U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Browse by 

State, https://www.rd.usda.gov/browse-state.

43 NCSHA, About NCSHA, www.ncsha.org/about-us/about-hfas.

44 NCSHA, Find a State Housing Finance Agency, www.ncsha.org/

housing-help.

45 U.S. Department of Energy, Weatherization Assistance Program,

www.energy.gov/scep/wap/weatherization-assistance-program.

46 U.S. Department of Energy, Contact Your State Weatherization 

Administrator, www.energy.gov/scep/wap/how-applyweatherization-assistance#states.

47 Housing and Services Resource Center, https://acl.gov/

HousingAndServices.
16 Partnering to Expand Access to Home Modifications, Repairs, and Weatherization for Community Living

This publication was funded by the U.S. Administration for Community Living through a contract 

with Mission Analytics Group, Inc. (Contract number HHSP233201500060I) which subcontracted 

the work to USAging. The views expressed do not necessarily represent the positions or policies 

of the Administration for Community Living / Department of Health and Human Services.

September 2023