Chautauqua Home Rehabilitation and Improvement Corporation has been awarded funding from the state Office of Community Renewal for a dedicated home repair program, Access Chautauqua Heroes, designed to specifically assist veterans in Chautauqua County who need accessibility modifications and/or emergency repairs.

Access Chautauqua Heroes can provide home modifications to anyone who was honorably discharged from any branch of the U.S. military. The need for home modifications does not have to be tied to a service-related injury. If a veteran finds that he or she is having some trouble safely accessing their home or using the rooms in their home due to an illness, a non-service-related injury or normal aging, Access Chautauqua Heroes may be able to provide help. The program also offers help with general emergency home repairs as well. These programs can provide minor and moderate adaptation work but cannot provide enough money to completely reconstruct a home for accessibility.

The program is available to homeowners throughout Chautauqua County. Only owner-occupied homes can be assisted. The veteran does not need to be the owner of the home, but a veteran must be the person in need of the accessibility modifications. The home must be the veteran’s primary, year-round residence and a copy of the veteran’s discharge papers will be needed.

The annual household income limit is higher but must be below 120% AMI example as follows: household size of one – $74,400; household size of two – $84,960; household size of three – $95,640; household size of four – $106,200. Income limits continue to increase with household size. Households with greater financial need may be prioritized for assistance if demand for assistance is greater than the available funding.

For more information or an application for Access Chautauqua Heroes, please call CHRIC at 716-753-4650 or visit www.chric.org to download and print an application there.