By Mayor Jerry Jackson
All across Harrison, we have elderly residents — many of them widows — who are trying to get by on very little. Some live on just $800 a month from Social Security. They don’t complain. They don’t ask for help. They’re proud people who’ve worked hard their whole lives and don’t want to be a burden to anyone.
But behind closed doors, some are living in homes that are falling apart. Roofs are leaking. Bathroom floors are rotting. Some need walk-in showers because they can’t step over a tub anymore. And many are just barely scraping by, choosing between food, medicine, and basic repairs.
Recently, I attended an event for National Homeowners’ Month hosted by the Northwest Regional Housing Authority, and something caught my attention. There’s a program out there that not many people know about: the 504 Housing Rehabilitation Program. It’s a federal program that can provide grants — yes, grants, not loans — of up to $10,000 to very low-income homeowners who are 62 or older.
These grants can be used to make safety-related repairs — things like roofing, flooring, plumbing, or converting a tub to a shower. If someone is living on just Social Security, they’ll likely qualify. But here’s the issue: the people who need the help the most won’t ask for it.
That’s why I want to start a local push to identify and help those who won’t come forward on their own. If you know a neighbor, friend, or loved one who may qualify, please talk to them and help them take the first step. If they’re unsure or uncomfortable with the process, I’ll be glad to help connect them personally.
You can also contact the Northwest Regional Housing Authority at 317 Industrial Park Road here in Harrison. Their phone number is 870-743-6779, and you can visit them online at http://nwregionalhousing.org .
Let’s do what a good town does. Let’s take care of the people who took care of us. Let’s help the elderly — quietly, respectfully, and with real results.