Minnesota seniors with limited incomes can apply for no-cost home fixes and appliance replacements

A door that won’t latch properly, a bad outlet, or a plumbing leak can all be repaired through the program.

For older adults living on a tight budget, a broken appliance or unsafe home feature can be expensive to fix. A Minnesota nonprofit is offering help through free home repairs and appliance replacements.

Homeowners who qualify do not have to pay for services provided by Rebuilding Together Minnesota, according to WCCO.

What to know

Rebuilding Together Minnesota helps low-income senior homeowners with problems such as leaking plumbing and faulty electrical outlets.

The nonprofit also installs grab bars, stair rails, and ramps as part of its safety and maintenance work.

It can also fix doors that do not close or lock properly, said Kathryn Greiner, executive director of Rebuilding Together Minnesota.

"These are things we take care of so they can keep their bills smaller," she said, per WCCO.

Eligible seniors may also receive replacement appliances, including a washer, dryer, or stove.

Additional context

Demand for help has grown as home repair and construction costs have risen faster than inflation.

That has made it harder for many low-income Minnesotans to pay for necessary repairs and safety improvements, WCCO reported.

Meanwhile, a national AARP survey found that 75% of older adults want to keep living in their homes.

Still, many respondents said the cost of maintaining those homes was a major worry.

The survey also found that expected changes in balance, strength, and mobility would require home modifications for 43% of older Americans surveyed, according to WCCO.

How to apply

Seniors who want assistance can contact Rebuilding Together Minnesota or look up application details online.

"We replace appliances like stoves or washers and dryers. If you have appliances that aren't working, give us a call and we will see what [we can] help you with," Greiner said, according to WCCO.

Greiner added that volunteer teams build ramps for qualifying homeowners during the warmer months, from April through November, helping make an otherwise costly accessibility project more affordable.

Corporate sponsorship and volunteer crews allow the nonprofit to provide the work at no cost.

"It could be something as simple as two stairs are needed for coming in from the garage. We can help with little things that help them maintain independence," Greiner said, per WCCO. "It might be a door that doesn't shut or lock correctly; maybe it's a faulty outlet or a plumbing leak."

More on home repair aid

Help with home repairs can reduce pressure on a tight budget, though eligibility and coverage depend on the program.

• Florida's Hillsborough County offers home repair assistance for homeowners facing structural and safety problems.

• In Pennsylvania, a $50,000 home repair lifeline vanished while low-income homeowners continued seeking help.

• Corpus Christi, Texas, opened a lottery for home repair grants worth up to $24,999.