News from AARP Maine

MaineHousing's Community Aging in Place Program -
Helping Older Mainers Improve and Maintain Quality of Life

Noël Bonam - AARP Maine State Director & Commissioner, MaineHousing

with Special Guest, Dan Brennan, Director, MaineHousing

In proclaiming May Older Americans Month in Maine, Governor Janet Mills said:

“Older Mainers improve our communities through intergenerational relationships, community service, civic engagement, and many other activities; and Maine must ensure that as we age, we have the resources and support needed to stay involved in our communities, reflecting our commitment to inclusivity and connectedness.”

Modelled after a successful program designed at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD and championed by Bath Housing in 2015, MaineHousing’s Community Aging in Place Program (CAIP), through the work of 15 partner agencies, provides grants to help older Mainers with home safety repairs and modifications. 

Allowing older Mainers to remain safely in their own homes and communities instead of having to relocate and/or seek more costly assisted living housing options not only saves money, but also helps improve and maintain quality of life in the places CAIP is available.

“AARP Maine works with partners such as MaineHousing to advocate for and to protect programs that support older Mainers,” said Noël Bonam, AARP Maine State Director. “We are also committed to spreading awareness of such programs throughout the state.”

“This innovative and common-sense approach to improve home safety and security at a very low cost while creating the opportunity for individuals to live longer and more safely in their own homes is good work and an investment in a healthier Maine,” said MaineHousing Director Dan Brennan. “We are pleased to do our small part in bringing this program to people across Maine. Like most programs that help older Mainers, demand and the number of eligible homes needing help often outpaces available resources. This program provides the double advantage of improving safety and preserving housing.” 

CAIP is open to those 55 or older or those with a disability who are earning less than 100 percent of the local area median income (AMI).

The program offers no-cost home safety checks, minor maintenance repairs, and accessibility modifications. These cost-effective solutions for aging homeowners establish a model for addressing many of the housing, health and wellness issues of an ever-increasing segment of Maine residents.

In 2024 CAIP was able to grant 205 households with more than $675,000, less than $3,300 per home to modify, and repair their home. This year another $900,000 is being invested in this vital program for Maine.

Not all homes will need or be eligible for all of these modifications, and each home is modified based on an assessment and the highest priority of its needs. 

To learn more about Community Aging in Place services for your home and how and where to apply, visit the CAIP page on MaineHousing’s website here.