Grant funding supports accessibility modifications and home repairs for older adults.
By Jeanene Dunn
For many older adults in Kansas City, remaining in the home they love becomes more difficult as mobility challenges, aging infrastructure and limited incomes create barriers to safety and independence. Through critical home repairs, home modification services and accessibility upgrades, HopeBUILDERS is helping residents safely age in place while preserving existing housing stock across the community.
Grant Support Expands Aging-in-Place Repairs
HopeBUILDERS recently received a $4,000 grant from the Home Builders Charitable Foundation to support operations, volunteer recruitment and community outreach efforts. The funding helps the organization continue providing accessibility modifications and home repairs for low-income older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout the Kansas City area.
“We’re seeing tremendous demand,” said Jill Gaikowski, executive director of HopeBUILDERS. “More older adults are struggling to maintain safe housing while living on fixed incomes, and many simply don’t have the resources to make necessary repairs.”
Since 2000, HopeBUILDERS has addressed the growing need for accessibility modifications and aging-in-place repairs that help older adults continue living independently. Gaikowski said the organization’s mission centers on helping residents “age in place,” allowing them to remain connected to their homes and communities as long as possible.
Accessibility Modifications Improve Home Safety
The organization provides a wide range of accessibility modifications and critical home repairs designed to improve mobility, safety and housing stability. Common modifications include:
• Wheelchair ramps and entryway modifications
• Grab bars and bathroom accessibility upgrades
• Door widenings and handrail installations
• Stair repairs and minor flooring replacement
“Sometimes it’s a grab bar, a wheelchair ramp or fixing unsafe stairs,” Gaikowski said. “Those repairs may seem small, but they can make the difference between someone remaining in their home or having to leave it.”
Many homeowners served by HopeBUILDERS are living on fixed incomes and cannot afford even modest repairs. Accessibility upgrades often help prevent injuries while making daily routines safer and easier for older adults and individuals with disabilities.
Meeting Kansas City’s Growing Housing Needs
For Gaikowski, the work extends beyond home maintenance.
“We know housing preservation is critical,” she said. “If we can help someone stay safely in their home, we’re also helping preserve affordable housing in our community.”
HopeBUILDERS operated for years primarily as a volunteer-run organization but is now transitioning into a more robust staffing model. The nonprofit currently employs four full-time staff members and hopes to nearly double that number as demand for aging-in-place services continues to rise.
Community Partnerships Strengthen the Mission
Community partnerships remain central to the organization’s success. In addition to support from the Charitable Foundation, HopeBUILDERS collaborates with nonprofits, healthcare organizations, contractors and social service agencies through the Kansas City Home Modification Coalition.
“We can’t do this work alone,” Gaikowski said. “It takes volunteers, contractors, financial supporters and advocates all working together to help older adults remain safe and independent.”
The organization also relies heavily on referrals from community partners, including local fire departments and social service organizations, to identify residents in need. “There’s such a growing need for this work,” Gaikowski said. “As our population ages, we have to think differently about supporting older adults in their homes and communities.”
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