Through our Aging in Place program, Dekalb Habitat helps older adults age at home and in communities of their choice. We collaborate with human services organizations to evaluate individual needs and provide critical home repairs, modifications and community services specific to each homeowner’s lifestyle to preserve their home and their independence.

We have two programs to serve our older Americans:

Senior Home Repair Program

The Senior Home Repair Program works with homeowners who need assistance with critical repairs that will alleviate health and safety issues. Habitat also offers Home Preservation as a component of the Repair Program to address minor home maintenance and repairs to the home and Aging in Place services for seniors and those with physical or mental impairments to better enable people to live and age safely in their homes.

Learn more.

Veterans Home Repair Program

This program is open to all military veterans, provided they have received an honorable or general discharge. Critical home repair is interior, or exterior work performed to alleviate critical health, life, and safety issues or code violations, including a change to or repair of materials or components; a reconfiguration of space; a modification for accessibility; installation or extension of plumbing, mechanical or electrical systems on an existing structure.

Learn more.

Latest Senior Stories

To celebrate Older Americans Month, we are collecting 65 Senior Stories that honor their contributions and influence in your life. When we reach 65 stories, Georgia Natural Gas will donate $6500 to our Aging In Place program!

Honor a senior today!

I'm very inspired by the active seniors who I work with through Habitat for Humanity-DeKalb - Ron, Chip, Tom, Allen...

Our "gray ghost" volunteers retired from some amazing careers - professor, engineer, construction manager, etc. Not wanting to just sit at home, they do a lot of the planning, organizing, and actual physical labor that's critical to the success of our home repair and new construction projects. I aspire to have as full and rewarding a retirement when that day comes for me (in the far distant future).

Thomas B.

My grandmother, Marium, was one of the most influential people in my life...

Many years ago as a teen, I had a quiet evening with my grandfather who was visiting. I asked if he remembered living in the 1920's...

Not only did he remember, but he went on to tell me about being in high school where he was one of the few kids lucky enough to have a car. His best friend's older brother owned a pharmacy. During prohibition, pharmacies were allowed to buy grain alcohol. The two of them would transport grain alcohol from the pharmacy to a speak easy in town. In exchange, they were allowed to hang out at these establishments at night and mingle with the adults. It was a story that I will always remember.

Richard C.

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Our unique approach: Housing Plus model

Habitat is consistently working at the intersection of housing, human services and health in all that we do. We innovated the Housing Plus model, a range of person-centered, holistic approaches that starts with the older adult’s needs, then builds out a solution that incorporates not only home repairs and modifications, but community resources as well.

By looking at a full network of resources in addition to offering repairs and modifications, Habitat helps tailor a holistic approach for each homeowner so they can safely and securely remain in their homes as they age.

View the Housing Plus model

The need

Home provides a strong sense of security and comfort — this is especially true for older adults: one of the fastest-growing demographics in the country.

A 2018 survey by AARP found that 76% of adults over age 50 want to remain in their current residence as they get older. And by 2030, 20% of the U.S. population will be 65 or older.

Yet, more than 19 million older adults are living in homes that are in disrepair or ill-equipped to safely meet their needs and changing abilities.

We know that aging in place extends...

... longevity and quality of life, and safe and stable housing and community networks are core to these outcomes. Surveys of homeowners that partner with us show they’re mentally and physically healthier, feel safer at home, and engage with their family and friends more.

Safe and accessible housing is a key social determinant of health. As leaders in housing, Habitat’s Aging in Place program advances both housing and health equity for older Americans.

Through our Aging in Place program, older adults partner with Habitat for Humanity to address the issues preventing them from aging safely and comfortably in their homes.

Following a thorough holistic needs assessment including a functional assessment of the activities of daily living by a health care or social services partner, the homeowner, health professional and Habitat staff collaborate on a plan of action.

From exterior maintenance tasks like cleaning gutters and refreshing paint to critical interior renovations like widening doorways to accommodate mobility aids and adding handrails, each project is designed to make older adults’ daily routines easier and improve their overall quality of life.

Since the program’s launch in 2013, it has expanded across the U.S. to meet the urgent and growing need for functional, affordable and accessible senior housing.

In fact, households headed by older adults now account for more than half of all the repairs completed by Habitat affiliates nationwide.

In Georgia alone, hundreds of homeowners across the state have partnered with their local Habitat to preserve their homes and their independence.

By supporting Habitat DeKalb, you can help more older adults age in place.

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Senior Stories

Honor a senior today, here.

"My grandmother Edith Mitchell was one of the most influential persons in my life. She was the one of the wisest persons I know, but could not read or write and did not finish grade school. She was the "go-to" person for everyone in her neighborhood regarding to issues ranging from child rearing to home repair to cooking to child birth to home remedies for any illness. I remember once she refused to sell a hand made quilt that she made from a foot operated Singer machine to someone from "up North" , because she knew that the person would re-sell it at a higher prices thus "exploiting her craft. She then turned around a GAVE that same quilt to a struggling family she knew could not afford it. That was my example of "character" that my grandmother instilled in me."

David M.

"My Granddaddy Alva used to take such joy in learning what I was up to, and asking so many questions. I wish he could have met my young daughters, to be asking them questions. They would ask him questions right back! He was a good man with integrity, and played many roles in his life. I admire him."

Shelley M.

"In honor of Older Americans Month, I want to recognize my grandmother, Rosetta. She is the only living grandparent that I have, and I greatly appreciate her being in my life. I've been getting to know her as a person recently, and she is such a sassy, loving person. I'm thankful I'm fortunate enough to know and remember her and tell her I love her."

Rayana M.

Billy M.

My grandmother, Marium, was one of the most influential people in my life. She taught me how to value my faith, as well as how to be respectful, thoughtful, and caring. I think of her all the time, and will always cherish our wonderful moments together.

Shan M.

Bonnie & Sheryl

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Many years ago as a teen, I had a quiet evening with my grandfather who was visiting. I asked if he remembered living in the 1920's. Not only did he remember, but he went on to tell me about being in high school where he was one of the few kids lucky enough to have a car. His best friend's older brother owned a pharmacy. During prohibition, pharmacies were allowed to buy grain alcohol. The two of them would transport grain alcohol from the pharmacy to a speak easy in town. In exchange, they were allowed to hang out at these establishments at night and mingle with the adults. It was a story that I will always remember.

Richard C.

Dee.

I'm very inspired by the active seniors who I work with through Habitat for Humanity-DeKalb - Ron, Chip, Tom, Allen. Our "gray ghost" volunteers retired from some amazing careers - professor, engineer, construction manager, etc. Not wanting to just sit at home, they do a lot of the planning, organizing, and actual physical labor that's critical to the success of our home repair and new construction projects. I aspire to have as full and rewarding a retirement when that day comes for me (in the far distant future).

Thomas B.

Years ago, before the pandemic, I had the chance to travel to Poland for a Global Mission trip with Habitat for Humanity. It was there that I met Perry Shull, a retiree who once worked at Lincoln Financial Group in Fort Wayne, Ind. Shull reminded me of the power of a helping hand; of how our volunteer work touches people and changes lives. During our time in Poland, Shull recalled a trip to El Salvador, some 20 years ago. When the house was finished, the family’s grandmother, tears rolling down her cheeks, rushed to Shull and wrapped her arms around him. She didn’t speak English. He didn’t speak Spanish. But he could see the gratitude on her face. “It just changed my entire outlook on life,” said Shull, who is now in his 70s and served as our team leader. “I said I had to go back and do it again.” And go back he did. That trip marked Shull’s first to Poland, but his 19th for Habitat for Humanity. And in August, I’ll be meeting Shull again, this time for a mission trip in Portugal. What an inspiring man.

Mark W.