Aging in Place

May 24 Call-In Closed. Next Call-In To Be Announced June 16.

Our Wednesday, May 24 call-in period is closed. We received thousands of calls, which was a large increase over our last call-in. This massive call volume alerted our phone service provider, who shut down our system as a protective measure. Because of this, some callers got a busy signal or were unable to leave a message. We are working with our provider to make sure that does not happen again.

Our next Aging In Place call-in will take place Summer 2023, and we will announce the date on June 16.

The Aging In Place (AIP) Program at Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis offers mobility and accessibility modifications and critical home repairs for older homeowners. Through this program, Habitat works to help older homeowners move around their homes safely, complete daily routines easier, and live in their own homes longer.

We will take the first 100 pre-applications on our next call-in date. The hotline — 901-322-3500 — will NOT open before 9 a.m. Do not call any other Habitat number. Due to high demand, we expect all slots to be filled within minutes of 9 a.m.

• 50% or below Area Median Income (see chart below)
• City of Memphis homeowners
• Clients not previously served by our program
• Ages 62 and older
• Continue reading below or open our brochure below for additional requirements.

Click here for a brochure about the Aging In Place program 

How do I apply?

A pre-application does NOT guarantee your acceptance into the program or approval to receive repairs. The hotline — 901-322-3500 — will NOT open before 9 a.m. Do not call any other Habitat number. The only way to pre-apply is through the hotline — 901-322-3500. Due to high demand, we expect all slots to be filled within minutes of 9 a.m.

If you require translation services or accommodation for visual or hearing impairment, contact Shannon Morgan at 901-322-3510.

What happens after I call?

We will call you to complete a full application and inform you of all required documentation. If you meet all eligibility criteria and provide all documentation, Habitat staff will schedule and conduct an inspection of your home. If the inspection determines your home has needs that fall within the program’s services and budget, then you will be officially accepted into the program. If your home has too many problems and cannot be brought up to a safe and habitable condition within the program’s budget limits, then you will not be eligible for assistance. Please note this is not an emergency repair program. Most projects will take several months.

Do I qualify?

You may qualify for the AIP Program services offered in 2023, if you meet all of these criteria:

• Own and live in your home full time.
• Own no other property.
• Are age 62 or older.
• Live inside the Memphis city limits.
• Are not behind on city or county property taxes.
• Are not behind on your mortgage or have no mortgage. You cannot have liens against the home.
• Need home repairs or modifications that fit within our Aging In Place services and budget.
• Meet income guidelines for the program. These guidelines include everyone who lives in your home.
• Have proof of ownership of the property.
• Guarantee all owners on the deed will be willing to sign ALL documents.
• Can provide documentation to prove identity, age, residency, and income for yourself and everyone else who lives in the home.1
• Can provide additional documentation that demonstrates why information differs across your documentation, if needed.2
• Pass a sex offender registry check along with ALL occupants of the property. Any household with members on the sex offender registry will be ineligible for services.

¹ Documents you need to provide might include: a driver’s license or other government-issued ID, birth certificate, utility bill, 2 consecutive pay stubs within the past 30 days, mortgage papers, Social Security income statement, and/or retirement/pension.

² Proof of name change, marriage license, divorce decree, death certificate, etc.

AIP Program Income Limits Chart

As of 03-31-2023 for Shelby County, Tenn., based on U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Area Median Income (AIM) guidelines. Gross household income is combined household income before taxes are withdrawn. To qualify, applicants cannot earn more than the max gross household income limit. AMI limits are updated annually by HUD, and Habitat’s AIP program requirements will change based on those updates. For 2023, we expect the max gross income to increase but will not know until HUD releases the updated limits.

What services are available?

The type of work that may be provided for this call-in period is focused on critical repairs and accessibility needs, such as installing grab bars, wheelchair ramps, widening doorways, fixing broken windows, repairing water leaks, replacing roofs, and other work that fits within the guidelines of the AIP Program.

Habitat will determine if you are eligible for services based on budget and program guidelines. Habitat may deny an application if a home cannot be brought up to a safe and habitable condition within our services and budget.

What services are not available?

• Repairs for rental properties
• Cosmetic work, including but not limited to painting, cabinets, appliances, window treatments/security bars, and repairing trim work
• Work for properties that are not detached, single-family homes (town homes, condos, mobile homes) may not qualify.

Who does the work?

If you qualify, Habitat will finalize your scope of work and services for you to sign. Then, we will assign qualified, bonded, and licensed professional contractors to complete the work.

What happens after the work is done?

Habitat’s internal staff will do a final inspection to make sure work has been completed properly. When all work passes Habitat’s inspection, you will sign a certificate of completion. That step will be followed by at least one third-party inspection.

Habitat will contact you again after 2 months, 1 year, and 3 years to complete a brief survey about your experience with the AIP program. These surveys help us improve the program and measure its impact so we can help more older homeowners.

Do I pay for the work?

Habitat’s Aging In Place program will provide services as a grant at NO COST TO YOU. If you continue to live in your home for 5 years after the project’s completion date, your balance is ZERO, and you owe nothing. However, if you sell the home or transfer ownership before 5 years have passed, you may have to repay the grant. The grant restriction is forgiven at a rate of 20% per year. 

To monitor this repayment schedule, a restriction will be placed on the deed of the home. All Aging In Place clients are required to pay a $19 fee to the Shelby County Register of Deeds to record the restriction. All persons listed on the deed and mortgage must sign the deed restriction and other required documents.

Please continue to monitor our website and the AIP hotline for updates on future application dates.

How does Habitat fund Aging In Place?

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis works with a number of funders, both public and private, to provide Aging In Place services to our community.

• This project is funded under a grant contract with the State of Tennessee.
• The funding for this project was provided through a grant awarded by the Davidson County Chancery Court, Part III from the Senior Trust/Elder Trust settlement (Case No. 11-1548-III) and through a contract administered by the United Way of Knoxville.
• The funding for this project was also funded by the City of Memphis, Division of Housing and Community Development, Making Memphis a world-class city by facilitating and delivering resources and services that improve the quality of life for every neighbor and neighborhood.
• The funding for this project was also provided through the American Rescue Plan Act SLFRF Program through a contract administered by the City of Memphis Division of Housing and Community Development.
• The funding for this project was also provided through the American Rescue Plan Act SLFRF Program through a contract administered by the Shelby County Division of Community Services.

The Aging in Place program receives additional financial support from a variety of sources, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; The Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati; and Bank of Bartlett.

Aging In Place 2022 Community Meeting

On Tuesday, July 19, 2022, Memphis Habitat hosted a virtual community meeting via Zoom with the general public to share information on the Aging In Place program, such as how to apply, how to qualify for the program, and what sort of work is done through the program. Attendees were also able to have their questions answered live. If you have further questions about the Aging In Place program, please contact:
* Laura Anderson at 901-322-3508 or landerson@memphishabitat.com
* Treva Sease at 901-322-3522 or tsease@memphishabitat.com

Habitat for Humanity is an equal opportunity employer. Decisions regarding awards of repair or subcontract work are made without regard to the applicant’s race, color, sex, religion, national origin, familial status, handicap, or disability of an applicant, their household members, or the surrounding community. Memphis Habitat seeks to promote Section 3 and Women and Minority Owned Business job opportunities. Bid opportunities for repair and subcontract work under the AIP program are affirmatively marketed and posted on our website.

No person in the U.S. shall, on the ground of race, color, national origin, gender, familial status, religion, or handicap or disability of an applicant, their household members or the surrounding community shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.

If you feel you have been a victim of discrimination, please contact:

Trina Brown Hyman | 901-322-3513

 We are pledged to the letter and spirit of the U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program. All decisions regarding the provision of program services are made without regard to the applicant’s race, color, sex, religion, national origin, familial status, handicap, or disability of an applicant, their household members or the surrounding community.