Expansion to Baltimore housing upgrades program

BALTIMORE (WBFF)–The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, the Stulman Foundation, and the City of Baltimore announced the expansion of ‘Housing Upgrades to Benefit Seniors (HUBS).

The program involves 16 partners that provides home modifications and repairs as well as wraparound services that older adults need to remain independent. Organizers say the goal of the program is to eliminate the current backlog of more than 600 low-income, older adult households waiting for repairs. Some seniors have reported waiting for as long as three years to receive repairs to their roofs, furnaces, and hot water heaters.

HUBS was created in 2015 to connect many vulnerable older adults with services for which they are eligible. The project has been successful, but limited funding and systemic challenges have hampered the initiative.

Baltimore is a city that celebrates the vibrancy and independence of its senior population, and we must allow them to age in a place of comfort and familiarity,” said Mayor Catherine E. Pugh.

Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen said, “With more than 100,000 Baltimoreans over the age of 60, we all must work to ensure the health, well-being, and ability of residents to age in their communities with choice, independence, and dignity. Falls are the leading cause of fatal injuries among older adults, and this transformative opportunity, supported by The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, aligns with our citywide strategy to reduce falls by 50 percent in Baltimore over the next 10 years.”

This expansion will leverage more than $8 million in funding, including City and State dollars, creating a total program budget of nearly $12 million.

Read the whole article online at WBFF, where you can also view a video of the announcement.