Mayor
Walsh visits with Mr. Joseph Cappuccio, a longtime Roslindale resident, who
had his heating systems replaced through the Seniors Save program. Photo
credit: Isabel Leon, photographed in 2016
BOSTON
- Saturday, September 26, 2020 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced that
the City of Boston has more than doubled the amount of funding available to
residents through the Seniors Save
program which serves income-eligible seniors who need their heating
systems replaced. The Senior Saves program will now make up to $8,000 in
grant funding available to income-eligible seniors who are over the age of
60, up from $3,5000 available previously. This increase in funding will
better reflect the costs associated with replacing a faulty heating
system.
"With
cold weather approaching, we want to make sure older Bostonians can stay
warm and safe this winter," said Mayor Walsh. "Our older
residents living on fixed incomes may not always be able to afford
important improvements to their homes or new heating systems. I'm proud
that the City of Boston's Home Center is able to provide additional
resources to older Bostonians, and I encourage all eligible residents to
take advantage of this program before the cold weather hits."
The
new energy-efficient systems will significantly lower residents' risk of
heating emergencies during cold weather and will also reduce their energy
bills, enabling them to expand their budgets for other necessities.
"Seniors
Save is the best program in the City of Boston and I want to thank Mayor
Walsh's Home Center. The workers did an excellent job. I've told other
seniors about this great program so they can also get a new heating system
like me!" said Roslindale resident
Mr.
Joseph Cappucio, Roslindale.
Eligible
homeowners will receive up to $8,000 towards upgrades to their heating
systems. Any additional funding is available in the form of a zero percent
interest, deferred loan, which will only be payable on the sale of the
property, a refinance, or transfer of the title. Once an older resident
applies, BHC Construction Specialists will work with the homeowner on the
scope of the project and will help select a contractor from the BHC's
pre-approved, licensed, and insured contractor list. A BHC Construction
Specialist will then oversee the work from start to finish, and will follow
all COVID-19 public health guidelines when conducting work inside a
residents' home.
"We
are excited that the program will be even more accessible for older residents
of Boston and allow them to heat their homes efficiently," said Age
Strong Commissioner Emily Shea. "We are spending more time than ever
at home, and this is a great benefit that will help older adults stay
comfortable and save money this winter."
To
qualify, residents must be 60 years of age or older and must be the
occupants of residential one-to-four family property or condominium in the
City of Boston. The program is open to those residents over 60 years old
whose income does not exceed 80 percent of area
median income, as determined by the US Department of Housing and Urban
Development.
Applications
for the Seniors Save program are currently available through the Boston Home
Center (BHC), by visiting the Department of Neighborhood Development's
website, or by contacting one of the BHC's partner
senior agencies. To learn more about Seniors Save and to apply for the
program residents are also invited to contact (617) 635-HOME.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT (DND)
The
Department of Neighborhood Development is responsible for housing the
homeless, developing affordable housing, and ensuring that renters and
homeowners can find, maintain, and stay in their homes. As part of the
ongoing coronavirus response, the Office of Housing Stability is also conducting
tenant's rights workshops to educate residents about the eviction
moratorium and their rights. The Boston Home Center continues to provide
down payment assistance to first-time home buyers and home repairs for
seniors and low-income residents. The Supportive Housing Division is
working with various partners around the city to rapidly house individuals
who are experiencing homelessness. For more information, please visit the DND
website.
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