funds of the Administration on Aging and also because we are vitally concerned with the home repair maintenance and energy costs for our senior citizens. About 67% of Washington's elderly over age 65 own their homes; about 25% (24.4) of those 65+ have incomes below the poverty level. With inflation continuing, more and more elderly will be forced to choose between eating and heating their homes; repairs will not be possible. Home Repair Assistance is badly needed by many elderly persons in this State; we are particularly interested in home repairs which would winterize older homes since adequate insulation and weather proofing would not only save money for older persons on fixed incomes, but would conserve energy use and provide a healthier living situation. The Washington State Council on Aging, advisory to this office, is very much interested both in increasing employment opportunities for older persons and in repairing homes of elderly citizens. I am sure the Council will lend its influence and support in passage of your proposed bill. The State Office on Aging heartily endorses the proposed legisaltion, and will encourage support within the State's elderly population and the congressional delegation. Sincerely, JOHN D. PIACITELLI, DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES, Hon. JOHN F. SEIBERLING, Congressman, Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C. DEAR CONGRESSMAN SEIBERLING: In response to your request of January 17, 1975 concerning a home repair project for older Americans. The Aging Program Unit in Kentucky has a special grant from the Administration on Aging for disaster related to the tornado that struck our Commonwealth last year. The home repairs in this grant are limited to three hundred dollars per home of persons age sixty and over. The total amount of the grant was $94,642 and can be spent only in the four areas of the Commonwealth where there was tornado damage. There is a great need in our Commonwealth for a home repair project for our elderly citizens. Legislation such as your proposed bill would be most beneficial for our senior citizens and I would like to level any support that I might give to help in the passage of this proposed bill. If I can be of further help to to you in this or any other matter please don't hesitate to let me know. Sincerely, Hon. JOHN F. SEIBERLING, HAROLD L. MANN, Director, Aging Program Unit. WEST VIRGINIA COMMISSION ON AGING, Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C. DEAR CONGRESSMAN SEIBERLING: Unfortunately, we do not have much of the information requested in your letter of January 17, 1975, regarding home repair programs in West Virginia. Most home repair efforts have been initiated by approximately one-half of the 14 Community Action Agencies in the State and were typically done with the use of various manpower programs. The labor was, therefore, free to persons meeting OEO poverty guidelines and the materials were usually purchased by the client or relatives or materials were salvaged by the CAA. Recently the Department of Welfare operated a home repair program which generally benefited the elderly, but this program was stopped with the federalization of Old Age Assistance. However, the Commission on Aging recently made a model project grant to the Department of Welfare for the purpose of making grants to winterize and repair homes of the low income elderly. The Department of Welfare has been very successful in getting volunteer labor so that the small grants ($300-$500) can be used for the purchase of materials. The West Virginia Legislature is now considering appropriating state funds in the amount of $250,000 to the Department of Welfare to continue the home repair grant program for the elderly. The homes under the CAA and Welfare programs were not required to meet any specific standard after being repaired. I am afraid any such provision would have very negative results in rural areas where housing is in the greatest need of repair. I am sending a copy of a report of the Department of Welfare which may provide some of the information you are interested in. I am also enclosing a copy of another report which may be of interest. The report was done by the West Virginia Housing Development Fund under a grant from the Commission on Aging. The report concerns problems with the Farmers Home Administration 504 home repair loan. We promised to send this to you some time ago but only recently received it ourselves. I thought it might be of interest because the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 further liberalized the program but as you can see, many of the problems are associated with how the program is administered. We are concerned with the many Federal directives prodding the States to do something about the energy problems (winterize homes, insulate, etc.) while at the same time a major resource (the 504 program) to help the situation is given extremely low (or no) priority at the national level. Also the law authorizes a loan and/or grant program under the 504 program but funds have not been appropriated for the grant provision. If there is anything more we can do to assist with the Older Americans Home Repair Assistance Act, please let us know. We certainly think the results could be worthwhile and rewarding, and we appreciate your leadership in the field. Sincerely, LOUIS B. GERRARD, Ph. D., Executive Director. STATE OF DELAWARE, DIVISION OF AGING, Wilmington, Del., November 26, 1974. Hon. JOHN F. SEIBERLING, Longworth House Office Building, DEAR CONGRESSMAN SEIBERLING: Thank you for writing us concerning the Older American's Home Repair Assistance Act (H.R. 16570). We feel that this is an excellent step in the direction of securing resources for the elderly so that they may remain in their own homes. We agree with you that your act would have the greatest chance of passage as a part of the Older American's Act, and Title IX would seem the appropriate place for inclusion. We have received correspondence from the Senate Select Committee on Aging who are working on revisions to the Act. We certainly hope that they include your work in their deliberations. The only change we might suggest is that you allow some provision for purchase of supplies and materials for the repairs. We have found that many homeowners cannot afford the lumber and roofing supply costs involved in repairs. As you can guess, those most in need are the very poor who, after paying for a home during their working years, cannot afford to maintain it in their retirement years. Usually, the home is also the only thing of value (such as it is) that they own. Enclosed is a copy of a Home Repair Project we have begun with Model Project AoA money. There are specific details that will not interest you, but some of the criteria for eligibility and service may be of interest. Please let us know if we can be of further assistance. The person on my staff to contact is Bonny Anderson. Yours truly, Enclosure. ELEANOR L. CAIN, Director. AGREEMENT BETWEEN DIVISION OF AGING, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES, AND WILMINGTON SENIOR CENTER This agreement is made and entered into this 21st day of October, 1974, by and between the Division of Aging, Department of Health and Social Services (hereinafter known as the Division) and Wilmington Senior Center, through their project Employment Services for Older Delawareans (hereinafter known as Employment Services). For the purpose of, and subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, the Division hereby agrees with Employment Services, and both parties hereby accept such an agreement for the purpose, terms, and conditions of same which are as follows: PURPOSE To provide home repair, loans and services Statewide to low-income elderly homeowners. GOALS A. To keep people now living in their own homes remaining there whenever possible by improving health or safety conditions; repairs and adjustments of the home may make it possible for many citizens to remain out of institutions, foster homes, or other non-independent conditions. B. To continue useful employment of older persons by providing opportunities for serving other older citizens in home repairs and maintenance. This will improve the income level of retired persons, enabling them to remain independent. C. Increasing the morale of those persons whose homes will become repaired; persons will have access to loans or grants which had previously seemed impossible to attain. D. Increased morale among those who will receive employment and use of their abilities beyond their previous expectations. E. Improved safety and healthful living conditions in the homes of older citizens in Delaware. PROGRAM CONDITIONS OF THE AGREEMENT A. Employment Services will provide home repair and loan services to residents of Wilmington and New Castle County. (Within 30 days) Employment Services will subcontract with Sussex County Community Action (hereinafter referred to as SCCAA) to provide the above services in Kent and Sussex Counties. B. Within 30 days a revolving loan fund will be established by the Division, Employment Services and SCCAA. The fund will be used to make loans to eligible homeowners 60 and above. All elderly households with an annual income of $3,000 after necessities are deducted are eligible for up to $1,500 worth of services for repairs. A repayment schedule will be established for making loans and grants for home repair services according to clients' ability to pay. Loans will be repaid over a period not to exceed 24 months from completion of work. Repayment schedule is the decision of project coordinators and loan recipient. Criteria for receiving either a loan or grant will be as follows: (1) Households with an annual income of under $500 after necessities (housing, food, medical expenses) may have up to $1,500 worth of free services for necessary repairs. (2) Households with an annual income of $501 to $1,901 after necessities may obtain up to $1.500 worth of necessary repairs under the loan program. Such households will be responsible for paying back 50% of the loan, for a length of time not to exceed 24 months. (3) Households with an annual income of $1,901 to $3,000 after necessities may obtain up to $1,500 worth of necessary repairs under the loan program. Such households will be responsible for paying back 100% of the loan (at an interest rate of 5% a year), for a length of time not to exceed 24 months. (4) If the homeowner dies before repayment is completed, the contracting agency will decide as to whether the estate is liable for the debt or the loan outstanding becomes a grant. (5) If for any reason the homeowner feels the conditions of repayment are an unnecessary hardship, he may petition to have the repayment renegotiated. (6) Loans will be made specifically and only for repair work approved in Section C part 3 of this agreement. C. Procedures for obtaining home repair services and funds will be develoned within 30 days of signing by the parties to this agreement. Those procedures shall include, but not be limited to, the following: (1) Each applicant for service will be subject to a financial interview to determine eligibility for loan or grant and services. The applicant agrees to investigation into any financial statement given. (2) Each homeowner applicant agrees, if accepted by the program, to use the services of craftsmen listed and approved by Employment Services and/or SCCAA. If determined by the homeowner and Employment Services/SCCAA that none of the listed elder craftsmen can perform the repairs necessary, other workmen will be selected by the foreman of Employment Services/SCCAA ̧ (3) An estimate of needed repairs and cost of same will be drawn up by Employment Services/SCCAA after inspection of the property by the project foreman in the specific locality. The estimate will include wages for senior craftmen or other workmen, materials and tool rentals where necessary. This estimate will be included in any work contract to be signed. The foreman and contract agencies will have final approval of estimates. (4) Payment for work done will be made only after final inspection by project foreman as to quality and completeness of job performed. (5) Insurance coverage for property liability and on-the-job injuries shall be the responsibility of the workman and homeowner. Personnel ADMINISTRATION Hiring and supervision of personnel for purposes of fulfilling this agreement shall be the responsibility of Employment Services and SCCAA. Preference for all positions shall be given to persons 55+. Liaison will be maintained between DOA and the contracting parties throughout the entirety of this project. For DOA that liaison will be (Bonny Anderson) Planner II, and (Francis X. Long) Management Analyst I, for the contracting parties Lena Harris, Employment Services and SCCAA. Resource Allocation For the purposes of this project, funds for loans and services are to be distributed in the following manner: Wilmington and New Castle Co.--50%. Kent and Sussex Counties-50%. This allocation was determined by taking together the housing objective criteria as used in the Social Indicators for Delaware's Aged, A Study of Status and Needs (1971), and the percentage of 60+ population below poverty level in each area. (See Appendix A, to be added.) MONITORING AND EVALUATION A. The DOA will receive quarterly reports on the progress of this project. These reports will include, but not be limited to, the following information: 1. Number of applicants 2. Number of loans/grants made 3. Amount of loans/grants made 5. Number of jobs completed 7. Amount of cash in loan fund B. The DOA liaison shall visit the project sites at least monthly. These visits will include administrative and home repair sites. The DOA retains the right to question project personnel as well as recipients of repair/loan service. C. Employment Services/SCCAA agree to establish a reasonable system of accountability and shall maintaian a booking record system throughout the duration of this agreement and the same shall be subject to audit by the DOA, State of Delaware, or any agency of the Federal government. PAYMENT A. The total cost of this contract is not to exceed $77,257, subject to the avail. ability of funds. Administrative costs will not exceed 14% or $10,816. Duration of the contract is to be from date of signing to 7/1/15 with all of the initial $77,257 to be expended before 7/1/75. B. The DOA agrees to advance Employment Services/SCCAA a payment representing 25% of the total cost as soon as possible after the agreement is signed and upon receipt of a statement from Employment Services/SCCAA in the amount indicated above. Additional payment shall be made on a basis to be determined, but not without proof of expenditures from the project to the DOA. CANCELLATION This contract may be terminated by any of the parties upon 30-day written notice to the other contracting parties. COMPLIANCE WITH CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964 Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 states: "No person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance." The Wilmington Senior Center/SCCAA hereby agrees to this and any other compliance laws or regulations as may be in effect at the time or become in effect during the duration of this agreement. PAUL L. BUEHILE, Wilmington Senior Center. ELEANOR L. CAIN, Director, Division of Aging. STATE OF NEW MEXICO, OFFICE OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, Hon. JOHN F. SEIBERLING, U.S. House of Representatives, DEAR CONGRESSMAN SEIBERLING: Since our National Legislative Mandate encompassed the health and safety of older Americans and their need for employment to supplement their fixed income, the New Mexico State Office of Economic Opportunity submits its comments on HR 16570 and to support its enactment one-hundred percent. This bill contains similar provisions to Title V of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 as amended. During 1965, 1966, 1967, and 1968, the New Mexico Public Welfare Department administered their Home Rejuvenation Projects in the state. The results, as you will see by the enclosed photos (before and after) were very beneficial, tangible, and long lasting. Since the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare has a good track record in administering Title V of the EOA, it channeled its funding through this Department and then to the SEOO in the respective states. This system would prevent programs being administered or tunneled through agencies or organizations who are insensitive to the needs of older Americans. Another recommendation is to drop the age of eligibility for repair assistance from 65 to 60 years of age. Additionally, the SEOO recommends that the legislation provide up to a maximum of $500.00 for building materials. If this is not done, participants would not have the resources to buy the raw materials for these needed repairs. Basing our comments on past experiences, we found that Labor Unions can be an obstacle in home repairs. Since OEO and DHEW have a good relationship, this would alleviate such drawbacks. We, furthermore, wish to acknowledge some very good features in HR 16570. First and foremost, it would provide much needed home repairs of eligible older Americans. Secondly, it would provide job opportunities and training during this time of high prices and unemployment and under-employment. Participants would be paid prevailing wages in the area for similar work, but in no case would be paid less than the Federal/State minimum wage, whichever is higher. Please count on our support in getting this legislation enacted. Sincerely, HERMAN C. GRACE, Director. NEW YORK STATE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, OFFICE FOR THE AGING, Albany, N.Y., November 7, 1974. Hon. JOHN F. SEIBERLING, Washington, D.C. DEAR CONGRESSMAN SEIBERLING: Mrs. Eckel Clark, Director of the New York State Office for the Aging, has asked me to respond to your letter of October 29, |