CHICAGO — A significant demand for home repair assistance has emerged as the city’s program struggles to meet the needs of thousands of homeowners.
During the recent registration period from March 10-21, the Department of Housing received applications and inquiries from 6,818 homeowners.
However, the program, officially known as the Home Repair program, can only aid 250-300 households this year, according to spokesperson Michael Cox.
This surge in requests comes after the city discontinued a different program called Small Accessible Repairs for Seniors (SARFS) in December.
SARFS previously partnered with eight community organizations to provide essential repairs and accessibility upgrades for elderly homeowners.
In contrast, the current Home Repair program engages general contractors for repairs such as roofs and porches, lacking the community outreach that SARFS offered.
City officials stated that SARFS has been incorporated into the Home Repair program as part of an effort to streamline home repair services.
Department of Housing Commissioner Lissette Castañeda emphasized that this was not a hasty decision, but rather a conclusion reached through a lengthy evaluation of operational deficiencies within SARFS.
“The decision to roll SARFS into HRP came after careful consideration of how we wanted to improve the work being done,” Castañeda remarked in an interview.
Despite the aspirations to enhance efficiency, some experts fear this change may hinder support for low-income older residents in Chicago.
Misty LeBlanc, SARFS program manager at North Branch Works, raised concerns regarding the disconnect between city policies and the needs of the community in disadvantaged neighborhoods.
“While I believe the Department of Housing is trying to do their best, there’s a noticeable gap between the decision-makers and those living in the poorest areas,” she said.
The program changes particularly affect older Black homeowners, who face more pronounced challenges in securing resources for home maintenance.
Recent reports indicate that Black residents aged 62 and older are twice as likely to be denied home loans compared to their white counterparts in Chicago.
One such resident, Constance Hobson, 72, benefited from the SARFS program last year, receiving essential upgrades like toilet replacements and new cabinetry at her Austin home.
Hobson expressed disbelief and concern over the termination of SARFS.
“What happens to those people who had appointments set up for 2025?” she questioned.
Cox reassured that individuals previously approved under the SARFS program would be prioritized for inclusion in the Home Repair program.
“This year, we’re focusing on maximizing the number of homeowners we can assist,” Cox stated.
The Department of Housing allocated a budget of $12.7 million for the Home Repair program in 2024, an increase from the previous year’s budget of $9.3 million.
However, residents like Delores Campbell, 70, have reported a lack of communication regarding their applications.
Having lived in her Austin home since childhood, Campbell has been working to maintain the property with limited resources following her retirement.
Though she received assistance from the SARFS program in the past, she has now been left in limbo.
“I wanted more help this year for repairs, but then I learned the program was canceled,” she shared.
Campbell highlighted the difficulty of maintaining her property amid rising living costs, particularly on a fixed income.
Additionally, the Home Repair program has shifted its focus away from broader repairs, only targeting structural repairs like roofing and porches, rather than accessibility fixes previously offered through SARFS.
Under the SARFS program, community groups provided necessary accessibility upgrades and minor repairs specifically for low-income seniors.
These organizations often visited applicants’ homes to assist with the application process, a service that built strong connections within the community.
Jonathan Snyder, executive director of North Branch Works, reflected positively on these efforts, noting that seniors received assistance directly in their homes rather than needing to navigate a cumbersome process.
Last year, community groups completed 198 repairs out of a projected 295 jobs, but faced numerous challenges, including applicants failing to respond or being deemed ineligible.
Gail Schechter, executive director of H.O.M.E., commented on the delays that haunted the SARFS program, causing homeowners to await services for extended periods.
For many organizations, administrative burdens hampered service delivery, as they struggled with federal regulations associated with HUD funding.
Jim Gonska, special projects director of the Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council, described the complexities involved in running the SARFS program, citing extensive processes that added unnecessary delays.
The sudden announcement about the program’s termination came as a shock to many community leaders.
Organizations that had provided repair services for years found themselves scrambling to terminate contracts and inform staff of the changes.
In a meeting held in March, several community organization leaders voiced their concerns to Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th), advocating for the revival of a dedicated program for seniors.
Sigcho-Lopez emphasized the need for consistent funding to ensure that critical support is available to a larger segment of the senior population.
“This program is essential, and it requires a dedicated revenue source to assist more seniors in a timely manner,” he asserted.
Experts warn that facilitating repairs for older homeowners is vital for their ability to age in place and to maintain neighborhood stability as the population ages.
Jonathan Snyder echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of sustaining such programs to address the needs of an aging population.
“There are many baby boomers who need these services now more than ever, and it’s crucial that these essential programs receive the support they require,” he concluded.
image source from：blockclubchicago
