Rural seniors face growing repair crisis with aging homes

A new Shelterforce report highlights a growing concern for older homeowners in rural America: Housing stability often depends less on affordability than on the ability to maintain aging homes.

The report follows Kentucky homeowner Karen Moore, whose leaking roof eventually caused extensive structural damage before help arrived through the Christian Appalachian Project (CAP).

“Her roof [had been] leaking, but she couldn’t afford to get the roof repaired,” said Tina Bryson, CAP’s director of communications. “Water dripping through the roof over time rotted out her floor in her kitchen. She told me how she was afraid to go to the bathroom at night because … in the dark, [she] might go through the floor.”

Moore’s situation illustrates a broader challenge facing many rural seniors.

Older housing stock, fixed incomes, severe weather and rising repair costs can combine to make even basic maintenance financially out of reach. Left unaddressed, relatively minor repairs can escalate into major safety hazards that threaten a homeowner’s ability to age in place.

Shelterforce also emphasized the relationship between housing stability and overall health.

Financial strain may cause seniors to postpone preventive medical care, while cognitive decline can interfere with paying bills and managing household finances.

“I’ve seen cases [where people’s] memory and … thinking start to decline,” said Kelley Kinder, president and founder of the Appalachian Memory and Aging Initiative. “And one of the first things [to go] is their ability to manage their finances. So if they can’t pay their bills, they can’t maintain their housing.

“We see that often. There have been multiple occasions [when] people have had to leave their homes, where they’ve lived most of their lives, and then the home just sits there empty and goes downhill.”

The report also points to persistent shortages of health care professionals in rural communities, particularly specialists, making it more difficult for older adults to receive the care they need while remaining at home.

Repair costs create long-term risks

The report notes that federal assistance exists through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Section 504 Home Repair Program, which provides loans and grants for qualifying low-income rural homeowners.

But funding limitations, application complexity and proposed budget cuts can leave many seniors waiting months or years for assistance.

As repairs are delayed, housing conditions continue to deteriorate. Accessibility issues, weather damage, insurance costs and utility expenses add further pressure for homeowners living on fixed incomes.

For housing professionals serving older homeowners, the report reinforces the importance of exploring financial options before deferred maintenance becomes a crisis. And while it wasn’t presented as a primary solution in the Shelterforce report, home equity can play a role for some homeowners.

Reverse mortgages may help eligible borrowers access funds for critical repairs, accessibility modifications or other housing-related expenses that support aging in place.

Community-based approach

Transportation presents another significant challenge. With limited or nonexistent public transit, many nonprofit organizations provide rides to medical appointments, grocery stores and other essential destinations.

Shelterforce concluded that helping rural seniors remain in their homes requires coordinated efforts among housing providers, health care organizations, nonprofits and community partners.

For mortgage professionals, the report serves as a reminder that housing finance is only one piece of a larger aging-in-place strategy.

When appropriate, reverse mortgages can complement public programs and nonprofit resources by helping eligible homeowners preserve safe, stable housing while maintaining their independence.

This article was written by Jonathan Delozier and generated with the assistance of HousingWire Automation. It was reviewed by a HousingWire editor before publication.