Biddeford Housing Authority granted $80,000 to help seniors live comfortably at home

BIDDEFORD – The Biddeford Housing Authority will be able to help more seniors and disabled homeowners remain in their homes this year thanks to a recent increase in funding from the Maine State Housing Authority.

Guy Gagnon, executive director of the Biddeford Housing Authority, said his agency received slightly more than $80,000 this year, and that funding will be used for the local Comfortably Home Program, serving residents in Biddeford, Saco, Old Orchard Beach and Buxton.

The Comfortably Home Program is focused on helping seniors remain in their own homes by providing renovations and updates that will improve the home and make it safer and reduce the maintenance burden.

“We’ve had good success with this program over the last two years,” Gagnon said. “And now we’re going to be able to help as many as 25 homeowners this year.”

On average, the Comfortably Home program allocates roughly $3,000 for each applicant. The money is used to hire local contractors and volunteers who make improvements to the home.

“We’re really lucky that we have some fantastic, local contractors and volunteers,” Gagnon said. “Because of their hard work and generosity, we’re basically getting double the bang for our buck.”

The contractors and volunteers are certified aging-in-place specialists, Gagnon said. Examples of home improvements include installation of wheelchair ramps, smoke detector system installations, bathtub modifications, improved lighting and roof repairs.

To qualify for the program, homeowners must be over 55 years old, or have a disability and own their home or live in a home owned by someone in their family; with a yearly income under 80 percent of the state median income.

“Small investments in home safety offers many benefits to both homeowners and the community,” said Biddeford City Councilor Liam LaFountain.

“People in our city and all over Maine are struggling to find affordable housing,” LaFountain said. “This program greatly reduces the risk of potential increases to our unhoused population by allowing seniors and disabled individuals remain in their homes.”

The Biddeford City Council recently received a report and recommendations regarding affordable housing from the mayor’s task force; and one of the recommendations is to explore ways that help lower-income families stay in their homes.

“The Biddeford Housing Authority does a really great job in our community, and they play a very important role in creating affordable housing for our residents,” LaFountain said.

For more information about the Comfortably Home program, contact the Biddeford Housing Authority at 207-282-6537 or visit their website at bhousing.org.

Randy Seaver can be contacted at randy@randyseaver.com.