SENIOR HOUSING PROGRAMS

SAFETY GRANT PROGRAM

The City of Berea has been awarded a grant from the Cuyahoga County Department of Housing to help seniors live in a safe environment within their home. There are numerous ways a senior can fall and it can happen in an instant. A fall can result in an injury, cause a loss of confidence and increase the fear within a senior. To prevent these factors from occurring, the Home Safety Grant Program has been established if you feel that you or a family member are at risk for fall-related injuries, please do not hesitate to call us for a home evaluation. Home evaluations allow for opportunities for safety repairs and hazards to be identified. This program is at no cost to the homeowner. The program provides free installation of items such as bathroom grab bars, stair rails and other applicable safety features to income-eligible senior residents who meet all qualifications. For more information, please call Kelly Mendeluk at (440) 891-3316.

Eligibility Qualifications:
- Must be a Berea resident
- Must be 60 years of age or older
- Must complete an application

ADOPT-A-SENIOR PROGRAM

Enables low-and-moderate income senior homeowners to make exterior maintenance repairs (limited number of applicants are accepted)

Housing Rehabilitation Loan for Seniors
Enables low-and-moderate income senior homeowners to make repairs and basic home improvements.

HOUSING PROGRAMS

HOUSING ENHANCEMENT LOAN PROGRAM (H.E.L.P.)

HELP allows homeowners to borrow money for repairing or remodeling homes at three percentage points below a bank's market rate for home improvement loans. HELP has no restrictions on a borrower's income. Both owner occupied and investment properties are eligible.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE GRANT
Enables low-and-moderate income homeowners to make exterior maintenance repairs (limited number of applicants are accepted).

HOUSING REHABILITATION LOAN
Enables eligible low-and-moderate income homeowners to make repairs and basic home improvements that maintain to quality of their housing and create a positive effect in the surrounding neighborhood.

LEAD SAFE PROGRAM
Enables eligible low-and-moderate income homeowners and renters to make changes in their homes to provide a lead safe environment for young children.

DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE
Available to income qualified first-time home buyers for the purchase of a home.

DIVERSITY OPPORTUNITY LOAN
Supports pro-integrative home buyers whose race is underrepresented in their new community.

HOME WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE
Provides free energy efficiency improvements to income eligible homeowners and renters at no cost the the household.

For more information on any of these programs...
please contact the Housing and Social Services Department at (440) 891-3316.

SENIOR WHEELS

SENIOR WHEELS PROGRAM

Who is eligible to ride: Senior citizens and disabled persons residing in the City of Berea. Disabled persons may be asked to provide medical evidence as proof of eligibility to use this service.

Suggested uses:
Health Care Appointments
Banking
Hair Appointments
Library
Post Office
Special Events
Bingo
Visiting Friends
Active Senior Network/Recreation Center
Lunch/Luncheons
Shopping
Meeting
and much more...

The reserve a ride: Each jitney is equipped with a wheelchair lift. If you are in a manual wheelchair, we ask that you have another person to assist you.

BEREA CARES

The mission of Berea Cares is to provide effective involvement within the community by facilitating active partnerships between qualified volunteers, city services and residents.

Volunteer Opportunities:
- Special Events
- Volunteer Days (Leaf raking, painting homes, yard cleanup and exterior maintenance repairs, snow removal and Coe Lake Cleanup Day.
- Seniors (Luncheons, Activities, Events, Programs, Jitney, Visiting and Helping Seniors in need)
- Recreation Center

Requirements: Must be 16 years of age or older to be a volunteer. If you are under the age of 18, a parent or guardian must sign a waiver & release form in order to participate.

How do I become a volunteer:
1.) Call Megan Nageotte at (440) 826-5821 for an application

2.) Upon review of your application, you will be contacted for an interview with a member from the Volunteer Network Board.

3.) In order to provide proper safety of children and senior citizens, it is required by the Senate Bill 187 and the City of Berea to have a criminal background check conducted if you are approved to partake in Berea Cares.