Home Repair and Architectural Barrier Removal Program

Home Repair and Architectural Barrier Removal is for low income homeowner clients who face serious structural issues with their homes resulting in a decline in health and safety.

“I had been in and out of the hospital every week before the repairs. Now, I have central air. I’m breathing better, and I haven’t been back in the hospital once. It has made things a lot easier.”  – MOWAM Home Repair Program client

As part of the Meals on Wheels and More mission to promote dignity and independent living, we offer home repairs and/or modifications for our clients.  Since the program began in 2010, we have transformed approximately 102 homes, at an average cost of $15,000 per home, and restored feelings of safety and security, well-being and independence.

 

The majority of the Meals on Wheels and More clients who have received home repairs/modifications are:

• below the 30% MFI level (less than $1000/month fixed income)
• on the average, 75 years old
• female, either widowed or single

 

We try our best to help everyone who calls for home repairs and modifications, such as ramps, but we must give preference to Meals on Wheels and More clients.

 

“It made quite a difference for me. My hallway is done neatly now. Before, it had cracks and an entire side was falling apart. The new kitchen cabinets and microwave – it’s like a whole new kitchen! The cabinets were so uplifting for me. Doing the work that was done helped the appearance of the whole house.”

 

MOWAM case managers who have noted dangerous and/or unhealthy living conditions refer clients to the Home Repair Program.  While a majority of the home repair clients are homeowners, we do assist clients who rent.

To be eligible for home repairs and/or modifications, the client must meet the following criteria:

• Submit an application and proof of income
• Total household income is at or below 80% of the Median Family Income (MFI) for Travis County, Texas (less than $42,500/year for one person)
• Agree to the program requirements
• Have no outstanding debts or judgments owed to any government agencies
• Has not received previous assistance from another home repair group in the same fiscal year
• The home must be in the Meals on Wheels and More service area

In addition to the above criteria, homeowners must meet the following criteria:

• The home must be owner-occupied and in the owner’s name
• Property taxes are current or property owner is on a payment plan
• Must insure the property against lost or damage.  This requirement may be waived for applicants earning at or below 30% MFI ($15,950/year for one person).

Renters must meet the following criteria:

• Written permission from the landlord
• Provide a copy of the current lease 

 

“They rewired my whole house. Now I’m not embarrassed to let people come over and see it. Before, they would have seen all those wires sticking out all over the place. I just wasn’t expecting it. They were my angels.”

 

Depending on need and budget, we provide the following types of repairs and modifications:

• Accessibility modifications such as ramps, bathroom, and kitchen
• Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical                                              
• Windows and doors
• Sheetrock and painting
• Structural repair such as foundations                                                             
• Roof repair
• Ceiling fans           
• Other repairs for health, safety and accessibility

 

These repairs have helped clients in lowering utility bills, reducing cost of home owners insurance, preventing slip and falls, and having fewer trips to health care providers. 

Meals on Wheels and More Home Repair Program has received funds from the City of Austin, General Obligation Affordable Housing bond (GO Bonds); Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) Amy Young Architectural Barrier Removal program (ABR); and the Texas Veterans Commission Housing4TexasHeroes grant.  We hope this revenue stream will continue as the need keeps growing.

 

 

“I had a lot of cracks in the back room, it was a mess. I had to put tape on the walls, the windows were rotten, the glass was broken, so there was outside air coming through. If I put a nail through one side of the wall it came out the other. I was really scared of going in that room. It was just horrible. They did a great job. I couldn’t believe it. If I could give them ten stars I would. I am safe and comfortable now.”

“It affected my life 100%, and my pocketbook, because lord knows I couldn’t afford it.”

  

 

“They did a great job. I appreciate the program and I hope it continues for senior citizens because a lot of them can’t do it themselves.” – daughter of client

 

In summer 2011, Meals on Wheels and More conducted a survey of 33 clients who had received home repairs/modifications. Clients were asked a series of questions about their safety, level of comfort, and satisfaction in their home before and after the repairs. The results were extremely positive, reinforcing the need for our program and the impact it can have on our clients’ lives. The results included:

• Before repairs, 20 clients indicated they felt unsafe/uncomfortable/unhealthy in their homes. Despite feeling unsafe, 32 of the clients indicated it was very important for them to stay in their homes.
• 26 clients felt their home was now safe and comfortable after repairs.
• Before repairs, 24 clients responded their house was in poor or fair condition. 
• 30 clients indicated their house was either in excellent, very good, or good condition after repairs. 
• Before repairs were made, 15 clients had a fear of falling in their home.
• Nine clients no longer had a fear of falling in their home after repairs.
• Overall, 31 of the 33 clients were very satisfied with their housing conditions after home repairs. 

 

“Just keep on doing what you all are doing, especially with older people. We can’t always do what we are supposed to do, and we get frustrated when we aren’t thinking fast enough. So, you just keep on doing what you are doing!”

 

The Meals on Wheels and More Home Repair Program is a member of the Austin Housing Repair Coalition (AHRC), which collaborates and advocates for repairs and modifications for low income home owners.  To meet the growing demand for home repairs in the Austin area, our Home Repair Program collaborates with and refers low income home owners to other home repair groups such as

• Austin Area Urban League
• Austin Habitat for Humanity
• American Youthworks
• Hands on Housing
• 1House at a Time

 

In addition to other home repair providers, the MOWAM Home Repair Program coordinates with utility services and governmental agencies.  Through this broad collaboration, we have adopted a holistic approach towards home repair, finding ways to efficiently and effectively provide services to our clients and others.  Meals on Wheels and More tries to help as many low income homeowners as we can, but if we cannot, we will refer the need to the other home repair organizations.

 

“We use the bathroom to rinse, bathe, use the toilets and sink, and there is only a small area to do that, so the floor was getting weaker and weaker and weaker and finally it just fell through. But now it’s all better. They put a new floor in, and it looks much prettier because before it was all raggedy. The guy even painted my door and windows himself, and I wanted it to be UT orange on them and he did that for me!”

“The leveling of the house helped tremendously. Her bed was, well, it looked like she was going to take off to the moon. Now that it is leveled, her comfort of sleeping is much better.”

“They widened the doorway and gave us a new screen door, so now we can keep the door open and have natural light come inside.”