Exclusions

• If Durable Medical Equipment (DME) is available and would accomplish the same goals of independence and avoiding institutional placement, that service should be used.  
• Home Modifications should not exceed a total lifetime maximum of $7,500. The only exceptions to the $7,500 total maximum are if the Member’s place of residence changes or if there is significant change(s) in the Member’s condition that additional modifications are necessary to ensure the health and safety of the Member or to enable the Member to function with greater independence in the home and avoid institutionalization or hospitalization.  
• Modifications are limited to direct medical or remedial benefits and exclude adaptations that are general home improvements or aesthetic embellishments.  
• Written Homeowner consent is required before starting a physical adaptation to the home. Medical is not responsible for the maintenance or repair of any modification or the removal of any modification if the Member moves from the residence. 

Why is Home Modification Funding Important?

• More than ¼ of all U.S. homes are multi-story and lack a bedroom and full bathroom on the first floor that would help ensure accessibility
• Only 10% of housing units are “aging ready,” with a step-free entryway, bedroom and full bathroom on first floor, and at least one accessibility feature in the bathroom
• 28% of households with an adult age 65+ have at least 1 person who has difficulty using some element of the home (e.g., climbing stairs, using bathtub)
• Unmet housing needs are especially common among older households that are economically disadvantaged Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 (Data from American Housing Survey, 2011)

Federal Funding Sources

• Administration for Community Living (ACL)
• Older Americans Act Title IIIB and National Family Caregiver Support Program Title IIIE
• Grants (e.g., dementia, fall prevention, disabilities)
• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS)
• Medicaid Home and Community-Based Waivers
• Money Follows the Person Program (MFP)
• Nursing Home Transition Program (NHT)
• Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding can be used to add home modification services
• U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
• Section 504 Home Repair
• Section 533 Rural Housing Preservation
• U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
• Weatherization Assistance Program (can cover safety repairs)
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
• HOME Program
• Veterans Affairs (VA)
• Specially Adapted Housing Grant (SAH)
• Special Housing Adaptation Grant (SHA)
• Home Improvements and Structural Alterations Grant (HISA)

State Funding Sources

• State tax credits A growing number of states offer tax credits that include home modifications for accessibility and independence

• Medi-cal
• State general revenues (e.g., State funded programs; Safe Housing and Transportation; State Legislature; Bingo/state funds)

• State home care programs (e.g., State Funded In-Home or Homecare Program; State Home and Community-Based Service Funds; State Senior Community Services)

• State block grant funds (e.g., Lottery fund; Aging Services Block Grant; State Housing Bond Program/Housing Bond Fee grant; State Human Services grant; State Development Services Administration Program grant)

Local Funding Sources

• Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs)
• Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)
• Local tax credits
• Local/City taxes (Tax Board Fund; Local or senior millage funds)
• Neighborhood Housing Agencies
• Civic groups, non-profits(Rebuilding Together, Habitat for Humanity)
• Centers for Independent Living (CIL)
• Tribal general funds and Title VI
• County funding (County General Funds; District funding)
• Local government (City Council funds; Local funding: Measure A)
• Local philanthropic funds