Binghamton First Ward program helps seniors with home repairs: Here's how to apply
Driving down Gaylord Street on the East Side of Binghamton, one house sticks out.
It's not because of the big tree in front whose pink petals speckle the sidewalk or the neatly landscaped garden. Nor is it the clean blue-gray siding or the bright white trim.
What catches the eyes of passersby is a small wooden porch with smooth steps and intricate railings - a porch this time last year, 85-year-old Irene Perris says, was in disrepair with a board that would shift when someone stepped on it.
The First Ward Action Council's Senior Home Repair Program, which is once again receiving $85,000 through Community Development Block Grant funding, relieved Perris' worries when they helped completely replace her porch in 2022.
Binghamton Plaza update: City moves forward with Binghamton Plaza eminent domain proceedings
For subscribers: Staff shortages, high demand stymied Broome social services. Applicants paid the price.
What is the Senior Home Repair Program?
The First Ward Action Council's Senior Home Repair Program, which completes about 200 repairs annually, pays for skilled technicians to complete repairs for income-eligible residents 55 years of age and older.
"We do have two people working here that do repairs but we also hire contractors," First Ward Action Council Executive Director Jerry Willard said. "It depends on the nature of the repair and size of the repair."
Projects typically include rebuilding deteriorating or dangerous stairs, installing hand railings and replacing or adding door locks, as the program's goal is to improve safety and accessibility in seniors' homes.
Some larger jobs, such as plumbing and electrical repairs, are available for a small number of seniors but if the project doesn't fit within the limits of the program, the First Ward Action Council tries to find other ways to help.
"Let's say they need a roof, we might be able to move them into another program that would assist them with the replacement of the entire roof," Willard said. "It needs to be feasible within the limits of the program."
Dining: 10 new restaurants, bakeries and coffee shops to try in the Southern Tier
How to find out if you are eligible for funding
Willard says to first contact the First Ward Action Council at 607-772-2850 so they can start collecting information about the applicant and the proposed repair project. Due to funding limitations, most projects are restricted to homes in the City of Binghamton and the Town of Union — the town also awards Community Development Block Grant funding to the program.
From there, members of the council will come take a look at the requested project to determine its feasibility.
Eligible applicants need to own the house and income requirements depend on family size - up to 80% of the area's median income. The projects are also typically reserved for people living in single-family homes.
Perris said the program took care of most costs of replacing her porch, with the exception of the wood needed to complete the project.
"These guys did a fabulous job," she said. "I would refer them to anybody."
Follow Emily Barnes on Twitter @ByEmilyBarnes. To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Binghamton program funds home repairs for seniors: Who qualifies
