Carper, Coons, and Blunt Rochester Announce More Than $1.2M Grant to Assist Older Adults Across Delaware

The funding was awarded to Sussex County Habitat for Humanity

Today, U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons and Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (all D-Del.) announced a grant of more than $1.2M awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to Sussex County Habitat for Humanity. The funding will go towards the organization’s home modification services to provide older adults with safety and accessibility improvements that meet their needs.

This award is part of HUD’s Older Adult Home Modification Program, which works to provide older adults with home modifications such as grab bars, railings, and lever-handled doorknobs.  These modifications enable older adults to remain in their current homes if they choose, rather than move into nursing homes or other assisted care facilities. With this assistance, Sussex County Habitat for Humanity will be able to provide home modification services to 180 units in Delaware.

“We have a responsibility to ensure seniors in Delaware have the ability to age with dignity,” said Senator Carper. “This funding will ensure that older adults have the freedom to continue living in their current home and community as they age. Sussex County Habitat for Humanity provides much-needed assistance for seniors, and with this grant they will be able to help more people across Delaware feel safer and healthier in their homes.”

“Across Delaware, older citizens want to ‘age in place’ in the homes they’ve spent their adult lives living in, and programs like the Older Adults Home Modification Program help make that goal a reality by helping Delawareans make their familiar homes more accessible,” said Senator Coons.“I’m thankful for HUD and organizations like Sussex County Habitat for Humanity that ensure our older community has safe and affordable homes to live out the dignified retirement they envision.”

“Ensuring that Delaware’s seniors have homes that are equipped with the modifications and accessibility measures to meet their needs is critically important,” said Rep. Blunt Rochester. “That’s why I’m proud to join Senators Carper and Coons in announcing this grant for Sussex County Habitat for Humanity (SCHFH). These federal funds will enable SCHFH to help Delaware seniors age in their homes with dignity, helping them maintain their health, safety, and independence.”

“We know the positive impact that essential home modifications can have on someone’s life,” said Kevin Gilmore, CEO of Sussex County Habitat for Humanity. “We are excited to partner with the Habitat organizations in Kent and New Castle Counties to provide assistance statewide.”

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