A USDA Housing Preservation Grant Allows Littlestown Couple to Age in Place

Littlestown, PA – Thanks to a Housing Preservation Grant of $275,762 from the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Housing Service, SAFE Housing, Inc. is repairing homes for six low-income families in Adams County, Pennsylvania. This grant enables SAFE Housing, Inc. to hire local contractors to implement essential repairs that might otherwise be financially out of reach for many residents, allowing them to live safely and comfortably in their own homes.

On Wednesday, June 26, State Director of USDA Rural Development Bob Morgan and his team traveled to Littlestown, PA, to meet with members of SAFE Housing, Inc. at the home of Claude (“Sonny”) & Connie Bowers — one couple benefiting from this grant.

Sonny, aged 82, and Connie, aged 77, are experiencing a myriad of health issues, making it hard to navigate their home and property as they used to. Due to Connie’s knee replacement and Sonny’s heart problems, both struggle to navigate stairs safely in order to access their laundry room and exit their home.

After a shock from Sonny’s pacemaker knocked him off of his feet, the couple contemplated leaving the home they’ve known and loved for the past 25 years to move into a small apartment without stairs and with more accessible bathrooms and laundry. That is, until they found out about SAFE Housing, Inc.’s Age in Place repair program.

“I didn’t want to leave our home, but I was willing to move to make sure Connie was taken care of if something happened to me. I’m very glad we get to stay here,” said Sonny.

Thanks to the USDA’s Housing Preservation Grant and the efforts of SAFE Housing, Inc., Sonny and Connie are now able to stay in their home, just minutes away from their family. With the grant, the organization hired local contractors to install a stair lift to safely navigate between floors in their split-level home, make their bathrooms handicap accessible, and relocate their washer and dryer from the basement to the second floor for easier access.

“We’re really grateful that all of this could be done for us. We’re so pleased with the work that took place,” said Connie.

SAFE Housing, Inc. remains dedicated to its mission of preserving affordable homes and promoting economic stability for low-income families. This grant represents a significant step forward in achieving these goals, particularly in Adams County, where many homeowners face critical health and safety hazards that need immediate attention.

Photo Credit: Daniel Blottenberger

###

About SAFE Housing, Inc.
SAFE Housing, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that focuses on preserving existing homes in our communities through essential home repairs, weatherization, and hazard remediation. Through its repair programs, SAFE Housing, Inc. aims to prevent displacement, reduce the risk of injuries and illnesses, lower utility costs through energy-efficient solutions, and enable residents to age in place safely and independently. For more information about SAFE Housing, Inc., visit safe-housing.org.