Memphis, TN — Recently Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Memphis announced the launch of the Critical Home Repair for Seniors Program, a new initiative in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis designed to help older homeowners continue living safely and independently in their homes. The program offers grants to address urgent health, accessibility, and safety needs in aging homes across the city.

The announcement was made during a Dec. 8 press conference, where Memphis Habitat President & CEO Dwayne Spencer joined Rep Steve Cohen, LISC’s national President & CEO Michael Pugh, LISC Memphis Executive Director Nigel Roberts, local leaders, and community to celebrate the shared commitment that made the program possible. The Critical Home Repair for Seniors Program is funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Project Funding program.

“This program is about more than repairs—it’s about honoring the contributions of longtime residents by ensuring they can remain in the homes and neighborhoods they love,” said Michael Pugh, President & CEO of LISC. “Through this partnership with Habitat for Humanity, we are aligning resources where they matter most, strengthening stability for seniors and investing in the long-term health of our communities.”

The new partnership is based on Memphis Habitat’s Aging In Place program model, which is a grant. As the implementation partner, Memphis Habitat will oversee the client application process, conduct repair needs assessments, coordinate contractors, and manage repair work. Habitat brings over 10 years of experience supporting aging-in-place solutions and home preservation efforts, ensuring that repairs meet high safety, quality, and accessibility standards.

“Memphis Habitat has provided older homeowners with accessibility modifications and critical repairs since 2015. Yet, we know thousands of senior homeowners still need these services,” Spencer said. “We are so grateful to Congressman Cohen and LISC for recognizing the need for senior home repairs and securing this funding which will enable Memphis Habitat to serve more of our neighbors.”

“I was pleased to secure $3 million for the Memphis Home Repair Grant Program for very low-income senior citizens through the annual appropriations process,” said Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9). “This funding will allow our elderly residents to ‘age in place’ in their own homes surrounded by their friends and neighbors. The improvements will address accessibility needs, health and safety concerns, and other needed home repairs to increase efficiency and safety. This is a smart investment in our seniors, our community and its housing stock.”

Applicants may qualify for the program if they meet all program eligibility criteria. Memphis Habitat accepts repair applications via a periodic call-in process, and a new application date will be shared in early 2026. Clients will be selected on a first-come, first-qualified basis until all repair dollars are allocated. For more information, please visit the Aging In Place section of our website.

 

Program Eligibility

To qualify for the Critical Home Repair for Seniors Program, applicants must:

• Be at least 62 years old
• Have a household income at or below 50% of Area Median Income (AMI)
• Own and occupy the home for which the repairs are requested
• Live within the City of Memphis
• Be current on city and county property taxes, or enrolled in an approved payment plan
• Provide proof of current property insurance at the time of application
  *Eligibility criteria is subject to change and regularly updated on our Aging In Place page.

Separate from this new grant partnership with Memphis Habitat, LISC has additional programming around home repairs. Together with United Housing, LISC and the City of Memphis launched a program called 901HELP in 2023 to increase access to affordable home repair loan financing. This new grant program takes a step further by ensuring low-income seniors—who often face the greatest repair needs and cannot afford a repair loan—can remain safe and stable in their homes.

 

About Memphis Habitat

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis is a movement of people in the Memphis area, working together to build more prosperous and vibrant communities by making sure everyone has a safe, affordable place to call home. For over 40 years, aspiring homebuyers have sought out Memphis Habitat for affordable mortgages, new homes, and financial education. Older homeowners also trust Memphis Habitat to help them make repairs that they cannot make themselves. Since 1983, Memphis Habitat has helped more than 600 homebuyers secure affordable mortgages; completed repair projects in partnership with more than 1,300 local homeowners; and contributed more than $366 million in cumulative local impact. For more information, visit memphishabitat.com

 

About LISC

LISC is one of the country’s largest nonprofit community development organizations, helping forge vibrant, resilient communities across America. LISC works with residents and partners to close gaps in health, wealth, and opportunity so that people and places can thrive. Since its founding in 1979, LISC has invested $35.1 billion to create more than 530,457 affordable homes and apartments, develop 83.5 million square feet of retail, community, and educational space, and help tens of thousands of people find employment and improve their finances. LISC Memphis office opened in 2020 and has invested over $8 million in affordable housing, economic development, safety, health, and strengthening the local nonprofit ecosystem. Learn more at lisc.org/memphis.