The senior population in America is growing rapidly. The U.S. Census Bureau projects the number of senior citizens, age 65 and older, will jump from 12.5% in 1990 to 17.7% in 2020. That’s a 41.6% increase. Indiana’s U.S.Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Office wants to help rural Hoosier seniors stay in their homes, so they can maintain their independence and dignity for as long as possible.

With this goal in mind, Indiana’s USDA Rural Development Office has up to $200,000 in grant funds available for Hoosier seniors (age 62 and older) living in rural communities to use on home repairs or home accessibility modifications. Qualified homeowners must apply by June 30, 2012 for these grant funds. Grants of up to $7,500 are available.

The eligibility requirements for grant funds include:

• You must be a homeowner aged 62 and older.
• The home must be located in a USDA-designated rural area of Indiana.
• You must need major home repairs and/or modifications to make the home more accessible. Home repairs and renovations may include: the repair of electrical wiring systems and fire hazards; repair of structural supports and foundations; the repair/replacement of roofing; the repair of deteriorated siding, porches or stoops; the installation or improvement of water and waste-water disposal systems; the installation of energy-efficient insulation, storm windows and/or doors; the repair/replacement of heating and cooling systems; alteration of the home’s interior to provide greater accessibility for handicapped family members; and home additions that alleviate overcrowding or health hazards to family members.
• You must have a very low-income (50% of the median household income for the county). The income limit ranges from $18,450 to $25,000 for one person to higher limits for individuals located closer to urban areas. Additionally, family size increases the limits. Also, the USDA Rural Development Office allows some deductions from annual income, which means individuals with incomes slightly higher than the limit may still qualify.

For more information, contact the USDA Rural Development office serving your county:

Crawfordsville Office
2028 Lebanon Road
Crawfordsville, IN 47933-2143
765-362-0405, ext. 112 (Elizabeth), 109 (Heather), or 111 (Phyllis)
Counties Served: Boone, Fountain, Hamilton, Hendricks, Montgomery, Parke, Putnam, Tippecanoe, and Vermillion

Knox Office
1406 South Heaton St.
Knox, IN 46534-2314
574-772-3066, ext. 121 (Patrick) or 122 (Steve)
Counties Served: Benton, Carroll, Cass, Clinton, Elkhart, Fulton, Howard, Jasper, Kosciusko, Lake, LaPorte, Marshall, Miami, Newton, Porter, Pulaski, St. Joseph, Starke, Tipton, Wabash, Warren, and White

Columbia City Office
788 W. Connexion Way, Suite E
Columbia City, IN 46725-0699
260-244-6266, ext. 121 (Liz) or 115 (Julie)
Counties Served: Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, and Whitley

Muncie Office
3641 N Briarwood Lane
Muncie, IN 47304
765-747-5531, ext. 118 (Jayne) or 124 (Lisa)
Counties Served: Adams, Delaware, Blackford, Grant, Henry, Jay, Madison, Randolph, Wayne, and Wells

North Vernon Office
2600 Highway 7 North
North Vernon, IN 47265
812-346-3411, ext. 136 (Sonya) or 136 (Cindy)
Counties Served: Bartholomew, Brown, Clark, Dearborn, Decatur, Fayette, Floyd, Franklin, Hancock, Jackson, Jefferson, Jennings, Johnson, Lawrence, Morgan, Ohio, Ripley, Rush, Scott, Shelby, Switzerland, and Union

Jasper Office
1484 Executive Blvd
Jasper, IN 47546-9300
812-482-1171, ext. 151 (Kim) or 118 (Terri)
Counties Served: Clay, Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Gibson, Greene, Harrison, Knox, Martin, Monroe, Orange, Owen, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Sullivan, Vigo, Vanderburgh, Warrick, and Washington

Grandview Lending is dedicated to helping Hoosiers with their mortgage needs. If you are seeking assistance for yourself or a family member, contact us for a pre-consultation.