Life Long Homes - Leveraging Community Resources

About the Program

Category: Community and Economic Development (Best in Category)

Year: 2018

Most people hope to age in the same homes and communities where they have lived the rest of their lives. However, suburban communities of single family homes often leave residents living isolated lives in environments hazardous to their changing bodies. In Montgomery County, Maryland, a County employee developed an innovative collaboration with other organizations to increase both the safety of low income older residents and their connection to the community. Through an organic process that included both local organizations (aging-in-place “villages” and a community college), and national organizations with a local presence (Habitat for Humanity, Rebuilding Together, Seventh Day Adventist Church), the County’s village coordinator facilitated repairs to thirty homes between 2016 and 2018 and ongoing social support to their owners. The benefit of the Life-Long Homes coalition (LLHC) went beyond the aging residents it served. As a result of this collaboration, participating organizations learned how to break down silos, communicate and coordinate effectively, streamline work processes, and engage community residents, aging, disabled, students, volunteers and professional staff.