QILC Helps Disabled To Get Home Remodeling Loans

With affordable housing or any other housing hard to come by nowadays, the New York State Housing Fund Corporation has come up with a program that provides funding for the disabled and seniors with an age-related disability to adapt their homes to meet their needs, continue to live comfortably and safely in their residences and avoid institutional care.

Recently, Governor George Pataki announced grant awards to eligible notfor profit entities that have substantial experience in adapting or retrofitting homes for persons with disabilities.

The announcement said that $200,000 has been reserved for Queens County, according to the Queens Independent Living Center, which recently moved into new offices at 23-35 Broadway in Astoria.

Fortunately for disabled persons and seniors in this area, QILC is a leader in developing such housing resources, and it recently teamed up with Margert Community Corporation, a specialist in the field.

QILC is presently accepting applications to seek the benefits of the state program. Individuals in Queens with disabilities and their families who are of low or moderate income and need such modifications to stay in their homes are eligible.

To find out if you qualify for this assistance and to apply, call QILC weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 718-204-7114. Funding availability is limited, so apply as quickly as possible.

Examples of the work involved include widening the front doors of homes to accommodate wheelchairs, building wheelchair ramps and installing lifts, stair glides, handrails or lever handles on doors, and constructing roll-in showers with grab bars, and kitchens that are easy to maneuver in.

QILC said in a release that accessibility modifications present a challenging array of design specifications and work measures. All are designed to incorporate the principles of universal design into all housing, so that living environments are usable by all people.

Homeowners and renters may qualify for assistance, QILC said, under the following criteria:

An occupant who is physically disabled or has substantial difficulty with an activity of daily living because of aging.

A dwelling unit that must be a permanent residence.

Total household income may not exceed 50 percent of Queens County median income.

"We are excited to work with a new partner, Margert Community Corporation, which provides non-profits and low-and moderate-income individuals help with energy and home repair projects," QILC President Daniel Aliberti said.

The QILC release stated that funding assistance under the state housing program would be provided as a forgivable loan. Loans to homeowners and renters will be for up to 100 percent of the total cost of the adaptations to a maximum of $25,000. Loans will be at zero percent interest and repayment will be forgiven at the end of seven years as long as the housing unit remains the applicant's primary residence.

QILC is an organization for people with disabilities that is dedicated to empowerment and universal access through education and advocacy. Its mission is to empower people with disabilities to take control of their own lives.

INDUCTED INTO STATE VETS' HALL OF FAME: Vietnam War veteran Pastor Toro Jr. has been inducted into the New York State Veterans Hall of Fame, state Senator Frank Padavan (R-C, Bellerose) announced. "The first-of-itskind online Hall of Fame is designed to pay tribute to New Yorkers whose gallantry in the U.S. Armed Forces is complemented by their significant accomplishments as a civilian and service to the community," Padavan explained.

Toro served a tour of duty in the Marine Corps where his meritorious service earned him the National Defense Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with four stars, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry and the Vietnam Civil Action Medal.

On his return to civilian life, Padavan said, his constituent had a 20-year career in law enforcement, including 13 years as a detective with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Since his retirement, he has become a community activist and also served as president of Post No. 32 of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Padavan said.