Housing and health builds the roadmap to the future. There is a particularly severe problem with availability and preservation of housing that is affordable to those with low incomes, including the more than 4.8 million adults with disabilities living only on Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Neighborhoods need accessible, safe, and affordable housing –  as the condition of housing is a major social determinate of health across the nation. MBCDC has helped many homeowners repair and make their homes more energy efficient. This contributes to revitalizing our neighborhood and increasing the value of these homes, thereby increasing household wealth. This wealth effect allows more individuals to use the equity built in their homes to purchase other assets to create further wealth.

Mrs. Linda McFarland is ecstatic with the home improvements that were done to her home this year. Fifty-three years in her home, she needed a new water heater, furnace replacement, and modifications done to her bathroom: ADA-approved toilet, faucet, new grab bars, and shower head for her shower, and her floor repaired.

These repairs were funded through the Federal Home-Lone Bank of Indianapolis(FBLBI) Home Improvement Grant Program and a bank member, Lake City Bank. A few years ago, Union Savings bank provided Mrs. McFarland relief by assisting and providing funding for the repairs to her waterline. During 2020 over 85 applicants applied. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic MBCDC completed significant home repairs for 23 households using local contractors. FHLBI funded this work with $221,000. Seventy-five percent of homes in the area are over 50 years old. Many residents cannot afford necessary home repairs for a safe, energy-efficient, or accessible home. The repairs include roofing, flooring, HVAC, widening doorways, ramps, and handicap-accessible bathroom and kitchen work. Exterior repairs like roofing and siding not only make the homes safer, but adds to the look of the neighborhood. The interior repairs such as new furnaces, flooring or kitchen cabinet repairs adds to the reality of a healthier environment which creates presonal health wellness for the household.

“…I am very happy with all of these wonderful changes.” – Frances Meriwether