Home Modification and Repairs for Older Adults: Challenges and Opportunities for State Units on Aging: This report by the USC Fall Prevention Center of Excellence and ADvancing States reports on a national survey

OHIO DEPARTMENT OF AGING (State Unit on Aging)

State Units on Aging (SUAs) are designated state-level agencies that develop and administer state plans that advocate for and provide assistance, including home modifications or repairs, to older residents, their families, and adults with physical disabilities. SUAs administer funds, including Older Americans Act funds, which may be used to support home modification or repair services through local Area Agencies on Aging and other state and local entities.

The Ohio Department of Aging (ODA) trains providers on Older Americans Act program requirements and Ohio’s rules for home modification and repair. They have incorporated strategies into the ODA State Plan to research how funding is being used for home modification and to pilot innovative programs that utilize various professions to provide in-home assessments and identify modifications that are needed to allow individuals to remain at home. Program(s) with home modification or repairs include.

1. Medicaid Waiver Program (PASSPORT)
Program Description: Ohio’s PASSPORT Medicaid Waiver program provides Medicaid-eligible older Ohioans with long-term services and supports (including home modifications) to stay in their homes or other community settings, rather than enter nursing homes, when appropriate. In 2019, the Department of Aging and Ohio Department of Medicaid aligned the rules governing home modifications to ensure the standards for service delivery are the same across all Medicaid Waivers serving individuals with a nursing facility level of care.
Population Served: Ohioans age 60 or older; financially eligible and frail enough for Medicaid institutional care; and able to remain safely at home.

OHIO DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAID

Ohio Home Care Waiver Program
Program Description: This Medicaid Waiver program helps individuals with physical disabilities and unstable medical conditions receive care in their homes and communities instead of nursing facilities, hospitals or rehabilitation facilities. The program offers the home modification service and the home maintenance and chore service up to 180 days prior to an individual’s transition from an institutional setting and enrollment on the waiver.
Population Served: Individuals with physical disabilities and unstable medical conditions to receive care in their homes and communities instead of nursing facilities, hospitals or rehabilitation facilities.

OHIO DEVELOPMENT SERVICES AGENCY

1. Ohio Housing Trust Fund
Program Description: The Ohio Housing Trust Fund is a flexible state funding source focused on providing affordable housing opportunities, expanding housing services, and improving housing conditions for low-income Ohioans and families. Among a range of housing activities, it supports emergency home repairs and accessibility modifications.
Population Served: Low-income working Ohioans.

2. Housing Assistance Grant Program
Program Description: The Housing Assistance Grant Program assists homeowners with staying in their homes by providing emergency home repairs and renovations for accessibility. The program also has limited funding available. Its goal is to promote affordable housing opportunities and improve housing conditions for low-income families and individuals primarily through emergency home repair and limited down payment assistance. Grant funds are provided through the Ohio Housing Trust Fund.
Population Served: Low- and moderate-income Ohioans.

OHIO STATE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM

Ohio’s A.T. Act Program, Assistive Technology of Ohio, through Ohio State University
The State Assistive Technology Grant Program, funded under the Assistive Technology Act of 2004, supports comprehensive, statewide programs in each state that improve the provision of assistive technology (often home modification-related) to individuals with disabilities of all ages.

OHIO STATE FALL PREVENTION COALITION

Ohio Older Adults Fall Prevention Coalition
For an up to date list of all state fall prevention coalitions, visit: https://www.ncoa.org/resources/list-of-state-falls-prevention-coalitions/

1. To locate the Area Agency on Aging in your state, please contact Eldercare Locator at https://eldercare.acl.gov/Public/Index.aspx

2. Data Brief: Building Community Capacity to Serve Older Adults: The Role of Area Agencies on Aging in Home Modifications and Repairs
This Data Brief highlights key findings from the 2019 National Survey of Area Agencies on Aging on how Area Agencies on Aging are providing and funding home modification and repair activities. It was developed by the USC Fall Prevention Center of Excellence in partnership with the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging as part of the Administration for Community Living project, “Promoting Aging in Place by Enhancing Access to Home Modifications.”

3. Featured Efforts:

Home Accessibility Modifications and Minor Home Repair program
Area Agency on Aging 8, Buckeye Hills
Marietta, Ohio
Email: info@buckeyehills.org
The Buckeye Hills Area Agency on Aging offers the Home Accessibility Modifications and Minor Home Repair Program for adults age 60 and older and individuals under age 60 with a disability in need of accessibility repairs. Home modifications include building wheelchair ramps, replacing tubs for showers, and installing grab bars and handrails. Minor home repairs are limited to small problem areas within the home.

Home Repair Program
Area Agency on Aging District 7, Inc.
Rio Grande, Ohio
The Area Agency on Aging District 7, Inc. offers its Home Repair Program to eligible older adults in their ten-county region. The program is funded by the Ohio Department of Development Housing Trust Fund Housing Assistance Grant Program and the State of Ohio Senior Community Services Program. Services include installing ramps to improve accessibility, kitchen and bathroom modifications, and housing repairs.

Home Repair Program
Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio
Toledo, Ohio
The Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio Housing Department provides this Home Repair Program to assist homeowners living in their own homes who are 60 years or older living on fixed incomes in Northwestern Ohio. Safety and home preservation needs are addressed and home modifications are provided that help older persons live independently and comfortably in their homes.

Senior Homeowner Assistance Program (SHAP)
Cleveland Department of Aging
Cleveland, Ohio
The Senior Homeowner Assistance Program provides grants to residents 60 years and older or residents with disabilities who meet income eligibility guidelines and own their home. The home must be in critical need of health, safety and maintenance repairs (e.g., installation of a ramp or repair and replacing front and rear and major electrical or plumbing work). This program is offered through the Cleveland Department of Community Development and Cleveland Department of Aging. It is funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and requires the calculation of gross annual income and income from assets to determine income eligibility for the program (35% of area median income).