Housing Opportunities & Maintenance For The Elderly Inc

H.O.M.E. HELPS CHICAGO'S LOW-INCOME OLDER ADULTS TO LIVE INDEPENDENT AND SOCIALLY ENGAGED LIVES BY PROVIDING INTERGENERATIONAL HOUSING, HOME REPAIR SERVICES, A SHOPPING BUS, MOVING ASSISTANCE, AND CARING VOLUNTEERS.

INTERGENERATIONAL HOUSING: H.O.M.E. OWNS AND MANAGES 78 APARTMENTS IN THREE AFFORDABLE INTERGENERATIONAL BUILDINGS WHERE SENIORS CHOOSE BETWEEN PRIVATE APARTMENTS OR, FOR THOSE WHO DESIRE MORE SUPPORT AND A FAMILY-LIKE SETTING, COMMUNAL LIVING RESIDENCES WITH PRIVATE ROOMS. ALL SENIORS HAVE ACCESS TO SOCIAL SERVICES AND ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES, WITH FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS LIVING ALONGSIDE OLDER ADULTS. H.O.M.E.'S OVERALL GOAL WITH ITS INTERGENERATIONAL HOUSING IS TO OWN AND MANAGE HOUSING FOR SENIORS WITH LOW INCOMES IN CHICAGO IN AN INCLUSIVE SETTING THAT CENTERS CONNECTION AND INTERGENERATIONAL COMMUNITY-BUILDING. H.O.M.E. PAUSED ALL MOVES INTO ITS BUILDINGS LAST YEAR DUE TO THE PANDEMIC. THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED WITH SEVEN VACANCIES OUT OF 78 TOTAL UNITS, OR 90% OCCUPANCY.

VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT: AT H.O.M.E.'S PAT CROWLEY HOUSE AND NATHALIE SALMON HOUSE GOOD LIFE RESIDENCES, VOLUNTEERS COOK ON WEEKENDS, FACILITATE SOCIAL ACTIVITIES, AND HELP WITH OCCASIONAL PROJECTS LIKE SEASONAL GARDENING.MOVING PROGRAM: THE MOVING PROGRAM HELPS SENIORS LIVE IN SAFE, STABLE HOUSING AS THEY AGE BY PROVIDING AN AFFORDABLE MOVING ASSISTANCE SERVICE IN COLLABORATION WITH COMMERCIAL MOVING COMPANIES. H.O.M.E.'S MOVING COORDINATOR SCHEDULES THE MOVE AND SUPPORTS SENIORS BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER. AS A TRAINED CASE MANAGER, SHE ACTS AS A LIAISON BETWEEN SENIORS AND VETTED MOVING COMPANIES TO PROVIDE A PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY SAFE, AFFORDABLE MOVING EXPERIENCE. ALL SENIORS PAY A $25 SERVICE FEE AND, USING AN INCOME-BASED SLIDING SCALE, PAY FOR A PORTION OF THE MOVING COSTS. H.O.M.E. PROVIDED 52 MOVES.ADVOCACY AND NEIGHBORHOOD ENGAGEMENT: H.O.M.E. LAUNCHED A COMMUNITY ADVISORY COUNCIL OF SENIORS SERVED BY H.O.M.E. THROUGH ITS HOUSING AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS WHOSE GOAL IS TO ADVISE THE BOARD AND STAFF ON PROGRAM DIRECTION, AND TO PROMOTE H.O.M.E.'S PROGRAMS AND MISSION. H.O.M.E. ALSO BEGAN WORKING WITH OTHER AGENCIES AND RESEARCHERS TO ADVOCATE FOR INCREASED HOME REPAIR RESOURCES FOR LOW-INCOME OLDER HOMEOWNERS.

UPKEEP AND REPAIR PROGRAM: H.O.M.E.'S THREE FULL-TIME HOME REPAIR SPECIALISTS ENSURE THAT SENIOR HOMEOWNERS LIVE IN HEALTHY AND SAFE CONDITIONS BY CONDUCTING ELECTRICAL, PLUMBING, AND CARPENTRY REPAIRS IN HISTORICALLY DISINVESTED NEIGHBORHOODS IN CHICAGO. THESE COMMUNITIES ON THE SOUTH AND WEST SIDES HAVE SUFFERED FROM NEGLECT OF HOUSING STOCK AND UTILITIES BY THE CITY, AND OFTEN REQUIRE MULTIPLE INTENSIVE REPAIRS. SENIOR HOMEOWNERS PAY A $25 SERVICE FEE, SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER THAN OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND THE REPAIRS ALLOW SENIORS AGE SAFELY IN THEIR OWN HOMES. HOME REPAIR SPECIALISTS COMPLETED 685 REPAIRS IN 63 HOMES.

SHOPPING BUS: H.O.M.E.'S SHOPPING BUS PROGRAM FACILITATES TRANSPORTATION TO GROCERY STORES AND OFFERS SENIORS ASSISTANCE WITH UNLOADING SHOPPING ITEMS. H.O.M.E. PARTNERS WITH SENIOR HOUSING BUILDINGS ACROSS CHICAGO TO PROVIDE ROUNDTRIP SERVICES FOR SENIORS WITHOUT REGULAR, RELIABLE ACCESS TO FOOD AND ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES. THE BUS TRIP IS ALSO A SOCIAL EVENT. H.O.M.E. PROVIDED SHOPPING TRIPS TO 2,449 PEOPLE IN 31 BUILDINGS.