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Finding Roof Repair Assistance for Seniors?

23 Questions

Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.

July 31, 2018

Is there any company or organization that offers help to an elderly woman, 80 years old, in Deerfield Beach Florida that has a roof leak that has caused a portion of the ceiling in her living room to drop down. The rain is getting inside.

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She is catching the water in large trash cans. Is there any company that anyone can suggest I call that might call for financial assistance to the elderly to get a roof repair or replacement. She has no money to repair it as she lives on Social Security income. My heart breaks for this old lady.

Please offer suggestions.

Answers


Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts
August 1, 20180 found this helpful

Housing repairs

Step 1
HUD.org

Step 2
Habitat for Humanity

Step 3
Churches

 

Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 105 Posts
August 1, 20180 found this helpful

Here are a website and all the information you'll need to apply for a grant. Grants or low-interest rates loans are given to seniors that qualify for them. If she can qualify they offer a grant up to $7500 to help repair her home. By the sound of things, she'll need all this and maybe more.

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homeguides.sfgate.com/grants-senior-citizens-fix-up-homes...

If this doesn't work you can always try and take up a collection, contact a local church for assistance, go to HUD or maybe even ask for help in her area. See if people are willing to donate items to hold a garage sale or even a bake sale to help raise some funds to fix her roof.

I know this might sound a bit strange, but you can try calling a local news station in your area and see if they will do a human interest story. If they do this will really help and maybe there will be some people who will come out and donate the material and their time to help fix her roof. I saw some of these on TV once when I was in the US and they seemed to really catch the eye of so many and the person in need really got a ton of help from the community.

 

Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks
August 1, 20180 found this helpful

Florida has several programs for helping seniors with home repairs and it is always best to start close to home before going to outside government agencies.

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  • Fixing a roof is one of the most expensive repair projects that a person can need so it may take more "leg work" to find an agency that can help.
  • If this person is on any government assistance program (food stamps, medicaid) this would be a big plus in getting almost immediate help as, in some ways, these programs mean the person is already qualified to receive assistance.
  • If she is getting any kind of help through her local family services they may be able to help her qualify for help with her roof.
  • There will always be forms to complete and if she is unable to do this herself then someone (family?) will have to help her. That is what I meant by "leg work" as these forms are essential to get her qualified for help.
  • I have listed some local sites to check out but there are others if you just Google Roof Repair Assistance for Senior with her zip code.
  • www.benefits.gov/.../1847
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  • www.deerfield-beach.com/.../Programs
  • www.habitatsouthpalmbeach.org/.../neighborhood_revitalization__application_17_0725...
  • www.sun-sentinel.com/.../fl-dff-homehelp-0315-20170313-story...

Just as information:
If she lives in a mobile home it may be nearly impossible for her to get help with repairing her roof.

 

Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 196 Feedbacks
August 1, 20180 found this helpful

Sounds like you have a big heart and you want to help your friend!

G-d bless you!!

If all else fails, perhaps you could rally your friends, social media contacts, and general network people in your town and have them donate small amounts to a Go-Fund-Me pages for this woman.

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www.gofundme.com/?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign...

I know from first hand experience that people can be quite generous and lovely when it comes to helping someone in need.

Roofs are quite expensive (at least where I am for a very small house it was well over $4000 and that was 10 years ago). Even if you get part of the money this way, maybe someone would be willing to help with the other part.

People often want to help someone in need but either don't know what to do to help or don't know how to help or maybe they don't even realize how dire a situation is for someone.

Will send up lots of prayers for you and your friend! Take care and good luck!! Don't give up!

 

Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 107 Posts
August 1, 20180 found this helpful

Here are some links that could be useful

Housing Programs ://www.deerfield-beach.com/1509/Programs

www.deerfield-beach.com/.../Community-Development

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www.broward.org/.../HomeownerSfhousing.aspx

dbhaonline.org/

 
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August 3, 2018

My 92 year old mother will not take a bath due to the fact that she is afraid she will fall, her tub is high. She lives alone and is in fairly good health. Also the floor in her bathroom is falling in around the toilet. Is there anyone that can help her with the repairs? All the kids are on Social Security and live on a fixed income so we cannot have the work done.


Answers


Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts
August 3, 20180 found this helpful

Have her apply at HUD.org, Habitat for Humanity, local churches, and the department of social services in your area

 

Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 105 Posts
August 3, 20180 found this helpful

I would make an appointment with HUD and take your mom there. She can apply for help through this organization. Furthermore, there are government agencies that help people like your mom with grants to fix up their home. I'd also look into this and see if you can apply for a grant to help your mom.

 

Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 196 Feedbacks
August 5, 20180 found this helpful

Sorry for your troubles. I will send up prayers that you find a solution. If you are a member of a religious organization, I suggest starting there and finding out if the can help with money or labor. These sound like a big job, so money and professionals who will offer a discount would be ideal.

Organizations like Rotary, Kiwanis, or Lions clubs may have monies that can help.

If one says no, ask for their input on who they think could help.

You can also Google your city name + the term repairs for seniors and look for lines that have .org or .gov not .com as the former may be organizations or government funded enties vs people who are businesses.

You could always try a Go fund me and see if you can crowd source enough money to hire people. Good luck! Don't give up hope!

 

Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 107 Posts
August 6, 20180 found this helpful

the obvious things have been said
- churches
- rotary or lions club
- HUD
- habitat for hunanity

additionally in your area (don't know wher eyou are) you should google "housing assistance + elderly + homeowner + (where you live)" and see what results come up. Most likely you will find a very specific sort of housing coalition or program, either private or gvmt funded, that will ahve you apply for assistance for either a person to come do it all for free or for you to qualify for a grant

 
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September 7, 2018

Is there any help we can get to put a new roof on our house? Are there any loans we can see if we can apply for? Is there anyone to help out senior citizens in this situation? Do they go by what income you have?


Answers


Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 196 Feedbacks
September 7, 20180 found this helpful

You don't say where you are located. I know my state (PA) has a ton of programs...each of which has their own criteria and income requirements. You can usually locate them by doing a Google search with your town name + low income + repair assistance.

Just a word of caution is to make sure you are selecting only the options that real organizations not shady contractors...meaning most of the sites end in .org or you can clearly see they are related to a legitimate charity like United Way or government agency like HUD.

There was an extensive answer on Thrifty Fun not long ago that people found the answers helpful. Maybe you can get some good info from this:

The link to the back issue is: www.thriftyfun.com/Roof-Repair-for-Low-Income-Homeowners...

Hope you find solutions! Will add you/the person you are asking for to my prayers! Wishing you all the best!

 

Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts
September 7, 20180 found this helpful

Go to HUD.org and click on your state. You can also contact Habitat for Humanity and local churches.

 

Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks
September 7, 20180 found this helpful

Roof repairs, and especially a new roof, just happens to be one of the most expensive home repairs and it is not always easy to acquire this much help without being put on a waiting list and sometimes the list may run into the next year (budget).

  • Since you ask about income, I believe you already know you will not qualify for "low income" assistance but it is very possible you could qualify for a low interest grant or loan.
  • I believe that "free assistance" will always be based on income first unless there is a qualified disability that might override the income issue.
  • That does not mean that you should discard any of the site recommended but you will probably find out with the first or second entry as to whether you can go any further on the application.
  • If you Google as Pghgirl suggested you will find several sites so you can begin your application process.
  • Some of the local site may not be federal government and their income levels may differ so be sure to look at each one before discarding it.
  • HUD does have some applications for grants and loans but I do not believe you could qualify for a Habitat project as their assistance is generally always based on low income and immediate need.
  • So many people get discouraged after starting several applications and see how extensive the process is so they just give up but who knows if the next one could be tailor made for you?
  • Complete the applications honestly and you will probably qualify for a low interest loan (with low payments and sometimes with "forgiveness" clauses if your income falls below a certain level).
 
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September 5, 2018

Are there any programs that you know of that can help a senior get her roof repaired?


Answers


Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts
September 5, 20180 found this helpful

Go to HUD.org, Habitat for Humanity, and local churches

 

Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 196 Feedbacks
September 6, 20180 found this helpful

There was an extensive answer on Thrifty Fun last year where someone found the information given helpful.

The link to the back issue is: www.thriftyfun.com/Roof-Repair-for-Low-Income-Homeowners...

Hope you find solutions! Will add you/the person you are asking for to my prayers! Wishing you all the best!

 

Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks
September 16, 20180 found this helpful

Roof repairs are one of the most costly home repairs and there are so many in need that even if you can get approved for help you may have to wait a year or more for repairs to begin.

  • Usually it is easier to get help if you apply to agencies in your immediate area. Check out Google with roof repairs for low income senior with your zip code and you should find several agencies listed.
  • I would suggest you apply to as many as you can because some may have more funds available that others. Habitat for Humanity is an excellent place to apply.
  • This is a benefit web site that may help you find agencies in your area.
  • www.benefitscheckup.org/
 
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July 18, 2018

My husband and I are seniors. Our son paid for roofing material, but can't afford to pay for labor to have it installed. Is there any kind of free help out there? I can furnish food and water or tea.


Answers


Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts
July 18, 20180 found this helpful

I would ask your church or Habitat for Humanity

 

Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 196 Feedbacks
July 18, 20180 found this helpful

I am so sorry to hear of your troubles. You raised a good son that he is helping you by buying the materials!!

I have two suggestions:

1. Do you belong to a religious organization (church, synagogue, mosque etc.)? Some have discretionary funds that are used to help parishioners in need. It is all very private and no one needs to know. Perhaps they could pay to have the roofer install or maybe someone in the congregation is a roofer and they could pay him/her or he/she could donate the services.

2. Since you have a computer and are posting here, have you considered setting up a Go Fund Me or like crowd sourcing pages?
They are fairly easy to do, you tell your story and ask for help. I know from first hand experience they work if you work to get the message out there. You could use this the same as above...if someone can give you a set, you can use the go fund me to help rent a truck and buy pizza for the delivery crew.

The only thing is I also recently learned they may count as income and may need reported to the IRS....see this link www.post-gazette.com/.../201805230153

If you go this route, you may want to have a professional do your taxes for the year of the process.

Sending up prayers that you can get the roof installed quickly!

 

Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks
July 19, 20180 found this helpful

Roofing is such a big expense and very difficult to find "free" labor mainly because of city/county permits there has to be a licensed roofer to oversee the job.

  • You do not say if this is a house or a mobile home but if it is a mobile home then you most likely will not be able to find any government agency (that usually includes Habitat) that will approve a fund or help.
  • Also, being seniors does not (in itself) always qualify you for assistance - you will also have to fall in the "low income" category for most government/Habitat assistance. (Usually this is the case, but this should not keep you from applying for help on any site that offers assistance to seniors.)
  • You can try any of these programs as they are government and open to everyone. The process is sometimes long and the actual help may take several months to proceed.
  • www.hud.gov/
  • www.rd.usda.gov/.../single-family-housing-repair-loans...
  • www.habitat.org/
  • Pghgirl40 has suggestions about your local community and these are always a good place to start.
  • You can also Google your question with your zip code and I feel sure you will find several places to begin your search for help.
  • You will need to understand that roofing installation is usually much more than the cost of materials. City/county permits have to be obtained (and permits cost cash and they are not cheap) and licensed person has to oversee the job - they will have to be on site when the city/county sign off on the job.
  • Also, repairing/replacing a roof is a very "iffy" job as they do not know what condition the actual framing is until they start the job. Could be more money for replacement of framing.
  • If it is a very big job, equipment will be needed to get the material to the workers on the roof and trucks/dumpster will be needed to haul off the old roofing and someone has to pay for that removal. Also, Florida now requires a port-a-potty on site for any job that takes more than one day and all of this requires cash outlay.
  • Companies have to have liability insurance (very costly to them) but anyone else working on your property will be covered by your homeowners insurance.
  • I am only stating these facts as many of them may come to light if you are not able to get a government/Habitat agency to help you.
  • Most important - do not give up - be patient and if one says no - go to another site.
 
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October 18, 2017

I am seeking senior programs to put a new roof on my house for free.


Answers


Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts
October 18, 20170 found this helpful

Contact HUD in your state

 

Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks
October 18, 20170 found this helpful

There are some programs that help qualified seniors with home repairs but usually there is a long waiting list. Roofing materials and labor are very expensive so this type of job will not happen overnight.

  • You should first contact your church or an area church and ask for help as they many times have members who may be able to help. This does not mean they will always do work and materials for free.
  • You can contact HUD as suggested but this is a very long drawn out process and, again, only qualified families will be approved.
  • Habitat for Humanities does some home repairs but their budget is not usually very great for repairs so they may not have the funds for this size job. Here is a link that you can check for your area. www.programsforelderly.com/housing-habitat-for-humanity-critical...
  • Here is another link that has some organizations listed that may be able to help you. www.rd.usda.gov/.../single-family-housing-repair-loans...
  • You can also Google Elder Affairs with your zip code and see what suggestions they have.
 
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June 25, 2019

I'm looking for assistance in repairing a roof. I'm a senior citizen looking for assistance.


Answers


Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts
June 25, 20190 found this helpful

Habitat for Humanity or churches can help.

 
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June 24, 2019

I have a friend whose dad is 70 yrs old. He has 3 grandkids that are 12, 8, and 6 years old. His wife is deceased, his daughter is deceased, and he's raising his grandkids. He lives in a double wide trailer and his roof is leaking really badly. He is on disability; he has no help.

He can't find any help. The community center won't help. He's contacted a few places, but they say when they get in the area they can look, but it's been a year. He needs help really badly so what can he do to get help to fix his roof?

Answers


Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts
June 25, 20190 found this helpful

He can contact Habitat for Humanity. He can also contact a local radio or TV station, and they can do a human interest story on him. This usually results in local tradespeople offering their services and/or donations from the general public.

 
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