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

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND OFFICE OF HEALTHY 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.

RHODE ISLAND EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Rhode Island Long Term Services and Supports Program
Program Description: This Medicaid program provides home and community-based services that assist individuals with living in their homes and communities as an alternative to institutionalization or otherwise. Services may include home modification.
Population Served: Medicaid-eligible Rhode Island residents who meet clinical and functional criteria.

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND GOVERNOR’S COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES

The Rhode Island Livable Home Modification Grant
Program Description: This program partially reimburses accessible home modifications for individuals who have disabilities so that they may live more safely in their homes and remain in the community. The grant is 50% of the total retrofit costs and up to $5,000. Grant awards include the cost of the needs assessment and post renovation certification of compliance. The Rhode Island Office of Healthy Aging helps to promote this program through Aging and Disability Resource Centers across the state.
Population Served: The grant is available to individuals who have a physical or mental disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Individuals must either live in the home to be modified or be living in the home once modifications are completed.

RHODE ISLAND STATE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM

Rhode Island Assistive Technology Access Partnership (ATAP)
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.

RHODE ISLAND STATE FALL PREVENTION COALITION

Rhode Island Fall Injury Prevention Subcommittee
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:

Housing Rehabilitation Assistance Program
Burrillville Planning Department
Harrisville, Rhode Island
The Housing Rehabilitation Assistance Program provides a low-interest loan to low- to moderate-income homeowners with the support of Community Development Block Grant funding. The program supports home improvements through loans and grants which may be used for projects including, but not limited to: improving heating systems, weatherization projects, improving plumbing, and handicapped accessibility projects.