Focus On: Safe at Home

Have you heard about our Safe at Home program?  Our Safe at Home volunteers provide home safety and accessibility modifications for homeowners in need who are older adults or are living with a disability.  This service helps ensure that these homeowners can live independently and safely in their homes.

Our Safe at Home volunteers have been hard at work over the last few months!  We’ve helped more than 30 homeowners in need through this program since July 1st, including Donna from St. Paul.  Two of our volunteers repaired her steps and installed new lighting, a doorbell and a smoke detector.  Donna sent our volunteers a very thoughtful thank you note that said, “There just aren’t words to thank you enough for making my home and outside steps safe for me to live in.  You gave me a smoke alarm and a motion sensor light by my driveway. Being a juvenile diabetic for 54 years it would have taken me a long time to recover.  I know the step you fixed this fall, myself or others would have been hurt on.  I know the damaged steps would not have made it through this winter.  I am very grateful!”

If you are interested in learning more about how you can help older adults and individuals living with a disability live more independently in their homes, please contact us at volunteerservices@rebuildingtogether-twincities.org.  To learn more about our eligibility requirements or to request an application to receive services through Safe at Home, please email us at SafeAtHome@rebuildingtogether-twincities.org.

Focus On: Safe at Home

Have you ever wondered how to apply for home accessibility and safety modifications through our Safe at Home program?  Or what types of modifications we make through that program?  We have the answers to all of your questions here!

What is Safe at Home?  Our Safe at Home program provides minor home safety and accessibility modifications for low-income homeowners who are older adults (+55) or individuals living with a disability.  These modifications are provided at no cost to the homeowner.  Projects are completed by two to four volunteers in about four hours.

What types of modifications are provided through Safe at Home?  Typical tasks include installing grab bars, hand-held shower units, no-slip bath treads, raised toilet seat adapters, handrails, door and window locks, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and more.

Who qualifies for Safe at Home?  Qualified Safe at Home applicants must:

* Own and reside in their homes, have homeowners insurance and be up-to-date on mortgage payments;
* Plan to remain in their home for at least two years;
* Live in one of the following counties:  Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott or Washington;
* Have a household income that is at or below 50% of the median area income for the Twin Cities Metro Area, as determined by HUD.  Currently for a one person household this is $28,950 and for a two-person household this is $33,100;
* Have at least one household member who is an older adult (+55) or is living with a disability.

How do I apply?  You can either call our office to request an application at 651-776-4273 or download an application from our website.

What happens after I submit an application?  Once we receive your application and supporting documentation, we will review it to make sure you are eligible for our program.  If you are eligible, we will schedule a home preview to determine what safety and accessibility modifications we could make at your home.  Based on the home preview, we will determine if your home is a good fit for the Safe at Home program and if so, we will schedule a project day for the work to be completed.  Two to four volunteers will come that day to make the safety and accessibility modifications to your home.

Want more information?  If you would like more information or if you have questions about the Safe at Home program, please feel free to contact Tyler, AmeriCorps Safe at Home Coordinator, at t.white@rebuildingtogether-twincities.org or 651-776-4273.