The proposed Whole Homes Repairs Act is based on a successful state program in Pennsylvania that uses American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to help repair low-income housing, Winkler said.
The Senate’s version, which housing advocate consortium Up For Growth CEO Mike Kingsella called “really important,” would create a pilot program to provide grants and forgivable loans to eligible homeowners and landlords for projects in affordable single-family homes.
Those include upgrades to “accessibility for individuals with disabilities and older adults,” like adding ramps, grab bars and wider doorways. The funds can also be used to address health and safety issues as well as “energy and water efficiency, resilience, and weatherization,” according to the bill.
“A lot of homeowners and even renters have home repairs that sometimes cost thousands of dollars outside of their ability to pay for them,” Winkler said. “This is at every age, but it’s particularly acute for older Americans who also spend more time at home. They may benefit from home modifications or repairs that help them stay in that home longer.”
The money would first be awarded to up to 10 “implementing organizations” — including local governments, states, tribes or qualified nonprofits — per year over the course of the five-years pilot program, according to the bill.
The program does not appear in the House’s bill, but Winkler said there’s a standalone companion in that chamber, indicating some level of support.”