State Profile: Texas
Welcome to the Texas 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
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.
1
Elderly Housing Set-Aside
The Texas Housing Corporation Act authorized local government codes that allow for multifamily residential developments to opt to pay a fee equal to one-tenth of the total principal amount of the loan to the housing finance corporations rather than reserve 5% of the units for occupancy by low-income older people. These fees are remitted to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission State Department of Aging, and then awarded to Area Agencies on Aging to help older adults obtain housing services, including home repair and modification.
2
Home and Community-Based Services – Adult Mental Health
Home and Community-Based Services-Adult Mental Health is a program that provides home and community-based services to adults with serious mental illness. The program provides an array of services, to match each person's needs. This helps the person to live and experience successful tenure in their chosen community. Services are designed to support long-term recovery from mental illness. One of the services provided is minor home modifications.
3
Community Living Assistance and Support Services (CLASS)
CLASS provides home and community-based services to individuals with intellectual disabilities or related conditions (a disability, other than an intellectual disability, that originated before age 22 and that affects a person’s ability to function in daily life) as an alternative to an intermediate care facility. Minor home modifications are included as a service.
4
Deaf Blind with Multiple Disabilities (DBMD)
The DBMD Program provides home and community-based services to people who are deaf-blind with multiple disabilities to support living in the community. It includes minor home modifications.
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
Care Coordination Program
In this program, a case manager works with contracted providers to arrange home repairs and modifications that improve the home’s accessibility, structure, safety and weatherization for low-income homeowners ages 60 years and older living in unsafe and/or unhealthy environments.
2
Home Repairs Program
The Brazos Valley Area Agency on Aging offers the Home Repairs Program as a collaborative effort between the Aging and Disability Resource Center and Housing Choice. To be eligible for services, one must be age 60 or older. Funding sources for the program include the Older Americans Act Title IIIB and Older Americans Act Title IIIE, state and local funds, and participant contributions. Services provided include: minor home modifications (e.g., grab bars, raised toilet seats, handheld showers, handrails, lever door handles); major home modifications (e.g., bathroom remodels, counter/cabinet height adjustments, ramps, elevator/platform or chair lifts, widening doorways, roll-in showers), and repairs (e.g., roofing, electrical, carpeting/floors, stairs). The program also conducts consumer and professional awareness activities and advocacy for home modification policies and funding; participates in task forces/coalitions or planning activities with other agencies; and partners with state or local non-profit home modification programs (e.g., Rebuilding Together, Habitat for Humanity).
3
Residential Repairs
Services consist of repairs or modifications of dwellings occupied by older individuals that are essential for the health and safety of the occupant(s).