1,650 Loans Approved to Help Keep Individuals with Disabilities and Elders in their Own Homes

Posted on October 23, 2012 by MassMATCH Staff
The Home Modification Loan Program (HMLP) has reached a significant milestone, allowing Massachusetts elders, adults and families with children with disabilities to remain in their own homes.Since 2000, more than 1,650 loans totaling over $37 million have been made, with the average loan being a little more than $23,000. Based on the income guidelines, from $1,000 up to $30,000 (inclusive of all costs) may be borrowed in either a 0% deferred payment loan (DPL) or a 3% DPL or 3% amortized loan. Almost 80 percent of the loans are no interest loans to low income families. Some examples of the modifications completed with the loan funds include: 554 bathroom upgrades; the installation of 575 ramps and/or lifts; as well as the widening of doorways and floor renovations. Home modifications have been made in 227 of the 351 communities across the Commonwealth. The funding for the projects comes from the state capital bond fund allocated annually by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Administration and Finance. Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation works in cooperation with the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) to administer the program to provide loans of up to $30,000 for eligible homeowners. Six regional nonprofit agencies around the Commonwealth meet with homeowners, process loan applications, and determine the eligibility of the modification and the applicant.An example of the importance of the Home Modification Loan Program is found in the Langosy family in Medford. Donald Langosy has Multiple Sclerosis, uses a walker around his house, and a wheelchair outside the home.  His wife, Elizabeth, took an early retirement to become her husband’s primary caregiver.  A painter whose artwork is displayed in his home, Donald and his wife purchased their home with their daughter and son-in-law to be close to their extended family.

Elizabeth and Donald Langosy received a $30,000 0% loan from Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership to make their existing bathroom accessible and build a ramp off of their front porch. Additionally, they received an approximately $1000 grant from Mystic Valley Elder Services and $2,000 from the MS Society to complete their project.  These modifications have had a tremendously positive impact on Donald’s day-to-day life.  The Langosy’s story was recently featured in a Boston Globe article on the program.

HMLP is a great example of the work that MRC, CEDAC and its partners are accomplishing across the state, with strong support from the Patrick-Murray Administration, to address the housing needs of the disability community.

For more information on the Home Modification Loan Program go to:  http://cedac.org/Home/HomeMod.html and www.mass.gov/mrc/hmlp
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