5 Things You Should Know About the Rhode Island Livable Homes Modification Grant

By Alyssa Gleason, Case Management Coordinator
RI Governor’s Commission on Disabilities

IT’S WORTH UP TO $5000
Home modifications can be a little pricey. We get that. That’s why the Rhode Island Livable Homes Grant will reimburse you 50% of the total cost of your home modification-up to $5000. And just to make it a little easier, you can include the cost of your Needs Assessment in your total cost, along with the cost of materials and installation. Just make sure your Needs Assessment is completed by a qualified professional, such as a Physical or Occupational Therapist, or an Aging-in-Place Specialist.

IT CAN BE USED BY HOMEOWNERS AND RENTERS
The Rhode Island Livable Homes Grant is all about helping you to make your home accessible, whether you own or rent. That’s why we only have two simple qualifications: (1) the accessibility feature or modification made meets the definitions provided in the Grant application, and (2) owners of a residential rental property agree to maintain the accessible feature for 10 years.

IT COVERS A WIDE VARIETY OF ACCESSIBLE FEATURES
Ramps? Covered. Chair Lifts? Covered. Roll-in showers or tub cuts? Covered. Sensory Modifications? You guessed it-covered. Not sure if your modification makes the cut? Check out www.gcd.ri.gov for a full list of covered accessibility features.

IT CAN HELP YOU OR A LOVED ONE TO REMAIN IN YOUR COMMUNITY
Senator Felag, who introduced the legislation that led to the creation of this Grant, said that “The elderly and disabled population in our state have specific needs within their homes that can unfortunately be extremely expensive for themselves and their caregivers. This program will help alleviate the costs to keep our aging and disabled populations in their homes and communities while also saving the state’s taxpayers millions of dollars in nursing home Medicaid costs.”

IT’S EASY TO APPLY
Applications and post-retrofit documentation can be found at www.gcd.ri.gov. Fill out the initial application, including the Needs Assessment, and send it in to the RI Governor’s Commission on Disabilities prior to the start of any retrofitting activities. After you have been approved and the work has been completed, send in the post-retrofit form. Yes, it’s that easy!