Housing Accessibility and Safety Support for Aging in

Place

Aging and Community Housing Nonprofit Partnerships in 

Georgia

For several years, home rehabilitation and housing were prominent needs identified in 

the River Valley Area Agency on Agency’s (RVAAA) annual community assessment.

When the Columbus Area Habitat for Humanity (CAHFH) in Columbus, Georgia,

received a grant for home preservation and modification for older adults, they reached 

out to RVAAA to do the social/wellbeing assessment component. A natural fit, the 

partners created cross-system referral processes, now being used with a third round of 

funding.

Programs

In addition to its homeownership program, CAHFH occasionally receives grants to do 

home modifications for older adults. As a part of CAHFH’s Continuing Hope Critical 

Repair and Aging in Place Home Modification Program, the RVAAA works in 

partnership with CAHFH to conduct person-centered assessments of eligible 

homeowners and their homes. To qualify, homeowners must be aged 62 or older and 

have a disability. Before starting the project, CAHFH asks RVAAA staff to conduct a 

person-centered assessment of the homeowner or household member, including their 

activities of daily living and risk for falls. The assessment also provides the homeowner 

with information about community-based services, including assistive technology, for 

which they might qualify, and the option of six months of case management. RVAAA 

draws on Older Americans Act or Medicaid waiver funding for the assessment.
2

For RVAAA, a partnership with the CAHFH made perfect sense. Most individuals who 

contact RVAAA are seeking transportation and housing assistance, yet the agency does 

not have consistent funding for housing supports. Working with CAHFH enables RVAAA 

to:

• Support the community need for home modification and repair by leveraging 

other funding sources and a skilled workforce; 

• Offer evidence-based health and wellness programs, including A Matter of 

Balance, RVAAA’s falls prevention program, to individuals who may have been 

unaware of this community resource.

• Outsource some one-time funding for home modifications and repairs to CAHFH, 

a trusted partner. 

Lessons Learned

• Although some home modification and repair projects are too costly to undertake, 

the collaboration leverages both partners’ funding and organizational capabilities

so older adults’ homes become more accessible and safer. CAHFH’s use of 

skilled volunteers enables each dollar to go further.

• The mutual referral system enables each agency to serve people they may not

otherwise have reached.

• The coordinated service delivery process (assessments and home modification 

and repair) is seamless for older homeowners. Also, RVAAA’s initial assessment

brings the individual’s priorities and needs to the forefront.

Additional Vital Partners

In addition to working with CAHFH, RVAAA contracts with the area Centers for 

Independent Living to do options counseling for individuals who want to transition to the 

community. They also partner with the state Assistive Technology program’s lab to 

improve access to products, equipment and systems that support independent living.

RVAAA also collaborates with NeighborWorks to advocate for affordable housing, 

support applications for the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, and provide a range of

services to NeighborWorks properties.
3

Formal Agreements

RVAAA and CAHFH, while not operating under a formal written agreement at this stage,

have established a low-cost system for referral, assessment and service delivery.

Funding Sources Used by RVAAA or CAHAH

Program Federal State/Local Other

Grant support for CAHFH’s Continuing Hope 

Critical Repair and Aging in Place Home 

Modification Program (occasional)

X

Community Development Block Grants 

(occasional) X

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security 

(CARES) Act (2020) X

Older Americans Act X

Medicaid, when applicable X X

For More Information

Katie Howard, Director, River Valley Area Agency on Aging, 

khoward@rivervalleyrcaaa.org

Cecile A. Terry, Homeowner Financial Services, Columbus Area Habitat for Humanity,

Cecile@ColumbusAreaHabitat.com