Mayor Jackie Biskupski and representatives from Housing and Neighborhood Development announced an expansion of the City’s Handyman Program; a program specifically designed to preserve housing in Salt Lake City for homeowners aging in place and people with disabilities.
This program is a grant-funded program (maximum of $500 per year) aimed at preventing deterioration to homes by making repairs early and often. This critical program is key to the preservation of households and is targeted to those making less than 80% area median income ($59,050 for a household of 4).
“For the past year my administration has been working to identify opportunities—both large and small—which will create and preserve long-term housing affordability,” said Mayor Jackie Biskupski. “The Handyman Program helps create opportunity for seniors and people with disabilities. Creating areas of opportunity that are safe, secure, and enrich communities is at the heart of the affordable housing plan—the City’s first since 2000—which my administration is in the process of completing.”
Under the program, a rehabilitation specialist is assigned to oversee the work and to ensure it is completed correctly and to the homeowner’s satisfaction.
“This program is critical in serving those residents who need some assistance in maintaining their home but often face financial burdens,” said Mike Akerlow, Director of Housing and Neighborhood Development. “This small investment will go a long way in maintaining Salt Lake City’s housing stock and the homeowners who care for it.”
During Wednesday’s launch the HAND team will be available to take applications, answer any questions, and educate the community on the various rehabilitation programs that the City oversees.
In order to qualify for the program each applicant must own their home, make less than 80% area median income and qualify as a person over the age of 62 or be recognized under federal guidelines as having a disability. The following types of repairs are included in the program:
- Start-up/shut-down swamp cooler
- Install motion activated outdoor lights.
- Install dead bolts
- Install window locks
- Install smoke or CO detectors
- Correct toilet leaks
- Replace broken or damaged toilet or sink with similar
- Install or repair faucets, including replacement cartridges
- Un-clog or repair drains
- Install grab bars
- Install threshold
- Install new door knobs
- Re-Caulk bathtubs
- Re-Caulk or weather strip windows
- Weather strip doors
- Re-glaze windows
- Clean rain gutters
- Repair rain gutters
- Electrical such as outlet/switch or fixture replacement. Must be like for like.
- Check fuse or breaker
- Tree and brush trimming
