State Profile: Virginia
Welcome to the Virginia State Profile Page! This page features a sample of survey and research results from a comprehensive review of state and local home modification activities across the country. It has a special focus on the aging population and the efforts of State Units on Aging, Area Agencies on Aging, and Native American aging service programs that are funded by the Older Americans Act Title VI Grants for Indian Tribal Organizations.
Check back as new updates will be posted periodically! Have any changes or additions? Please contact homemods@usc.edu
SPOTLIGHT ON STATE LEVEL HOME MODIFICATION ACTIVITIES
This section shares information that demonstrates the need for home modification in this state and highlights some of the state's important home modification efforts, policies, and funding sources.
This report by the USC Fall Prevention Center of Excellence and ADvancing States reports on a national survey
VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT FOR AGING AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES (State Unit on Aging)
State Units on Aging (SUAs) are designated state-level agencies that develop and administer state plans that advocate for and provide assistance, including home modifications or repairs, to older residents, their families, and adults with physical disabilities. SUAs administer funds, including Older Americans Act funds, which may be used to support home modification or repair services through local Area Agencies on Aging and other state and local entities.
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Virginia Arthritis and Falls Prevention Coalition
Virginia’s Arthritis and Falls Prevention Coalition works to increase awareness of fall risk factors, promote access to fall prevention interventions, and empower older adults, individuals with disabilities, and their caregivers to engage in activities to reduce the risk and incidence of falls.
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Essential Home and Accessibility Repair Program (EHARP)
The Essential Home and Accessibility Repair Program (EHARP) provides funds to remove essential health and safety hazards. It also address physical accessibility barriers for low-income Virginias. The program provides funding to local administrators to undertake physical repairs that improve housing conditions. Eligible repairs can include plumbing, structural, electrical and roofing, as well as the installation of wheelchair ramps and other accessibility modifications.
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Virginia Livable Home Tax Credit (LHTC)
The Virginia Livable Home Tax Credit (LHTC) program is designed to improve accessibility and universal visitability in Virginia’s residential units by providing state tax credits for the purchase of new units or the retrofitting of existing housing units. Tax Credits are available for up to $6,500 for the purchase/construction of a new accessible residence and up to 50 percent of the cost of retrofitting existing units, Not to exceed $6,500.
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Virginia Housing Accessibility Grants
The program administers grants up to $8,000 to foster independence and provide assistance for those in need of barrier-free housing. Typical modifications include but are not limited to: Installing ramps and chairlifts, Installing remote,entry devices, Modifying bathrooms and kitchens, and Widening of doorways and sidewalks.
SPOTLIGHT ON LOCAL HOME MODIFICATION EFFORTS
This section shares information that demonstrates the need for home modification in this state and highlights some of the state's important home modification efforts, policies, and funding sources.
This Data Brief highlights key findings from the 2019 National Survey of Area Agencies on Aging on how Area Agencies on Aging are providing and funding home modification and repair activities. It was developed by the USC Fall Prevention Center of Excellence in partnership with the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging as part of the Administration for Community Living project, “Promoting Aging in Place by Enhancing Access to Home Modifications.”
1
Bay Housing Division
Bay Aging Area Agency on Aging’s Bay Housing Division provides housing services to older adults including emergency home repairs, weatherization services, indoor plumbing rehabilitation, reconstruction, and rehabilitating homes of low-income homeowners via Community Development Block Grants.
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Emergency Home Accessibility and Repair Program
The program provides funding to repair urgent structural damage, remove and remedy health and safety hazards, and provide physical accessibility improvements for low-income Virginians. Homeowners and renters are eligible for the maximum assistance of $4,000. Repairs may involve plumbing, structure, electrical, and HVAC. Installation of wheelchair ramps, shower grab bars and other accessibility modifications are available as well. The Residential Repair Program assists qualified homeowners and renters with structural and accessibility repairs (e.g., electrical, plumbing, heating/cooling, high-rise toilet installations, grab bars, ramps, and water heating systems).
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In-Home Supports: Faith Works
Faith Works, a collaborative effort involving the faith community and the Area Agency on Aging, Mountain Empire Older Citizens, Inc. (MEOC), addresses greatly needed home repairs and modifications for low-income older people who have no other place to turn for help. The program increases the safety and accessibility of homes to reduce the need to move to a more restrictive institutional setting. MEOC care coordinators provide referrals to local congregations and to mission teams from all over the country. Labor and supervision are donated by volunteers from the faith community who frequently also provide funds for materials.
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Home Renovation and Repair Program
In partnership with the local non-profit, Rebuilding Together, this Home Renovation and Repair program has case managers who handle phone requests for assistance from older adults, caregivers, professionals, and others. Requests may include information about home modifications in general, in-home assessments, and recommendations on how to meet an older adult’s home modification needs. Funding sources include: Older Americans Act Title IIIB, Older Americans Act Title IIIE, and a state funded In-Home Service Program. Services provided include: home assessments, minor home modifications (e.g., grab bars, raised toilet seats, handheld showers, handrails, lever door handles), major home modifications (e.g., remodel bathrooms, adjust counter/cabinet heights, ramps, elevator/platform or chair lifts, widen doorways, roll-in showers), and repairs (e.g., roofing, electrical, carpeting/floors, stair repairs).