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Handy Helpers
Home repair, accessibility, and safety are constant concerns for many older adults in Orange County. Plumbing, electrical, heating, and cooling systems often require maintenance to make sure the home is safe and comfortable. Ramps, grab bars, and railings can enhance your living experience and help you plan to stay in your home for longer. However, it can be both difficult and costly to coordinate and complete these sometimes-necessary home repairs.
Handy Helpers is a volunteer based minor home repair program through the Orange County Department on Aging. Repairs and ramps are completed to code by volunteers, often older adults, throughout Orange County.
- Residents may submit a home repair request to the Orange County Home Preservation Coalition using the online survey tool or via hardcopy.
- Residents may contact the Aging Helpline to submit a request at 919-968-2087
There is no charge for labor through the Handy Helpers program. A large portion of materials for each project is funded by the OCDOA. The amount of funding available is dependent on a sliding scale cost-share model. Requirements for eligibility include:
- Must be a homeowner (includes owning a mobile home on rented property)
- 55+ years old
- Resident of Orange County
- Income at or below:
- Single person income requirement of $56,650 or less
- Two person income requirement of $64,750 or less
Handy Helpers does not work on projects related to the roof or mold.
Contact
For more information, please call or email:
Aging Helpline or (919) 968-2087
Handy Helper coordinator (919) 245-4245
Visit our Aging in Place Support Services page to explore all the services offered.
Professional Referral
The following link is for Orange County Department on Aging (OCDOA) employees or other agencies who frequently partner with the OCDOA Handy Helpers to submit referrals. This link is password protected. If you do not have the password, please call the Department on Aging – Aging Helpline (919-986-2087) to make your referral to the Handy Helpers program. If you have been given the password previously, but have misplaced it or forgotten, please contact Martha Grove Hipskind.
Submit a Handy Helpers Professional Referral.
Handy Helper Volunteers
Below are links to be used by Orange County Department on Aging Handy Helpers to submit information regarding their work and find their personal links to their assigned project list. Passwords are required to access all information behind these links. If you have forgotten these passwords, please reach out to Ryan or Morgan.
Submit a completion/update report on a Handy Helper project.
Find your personal link to view your assigned projects.
Payments
Below is a link for Orange County Department on Aging administrators to submit cost-share payment information to the Handy Helper Database. This link is also password protected. If you have forgotten the password, please reach out to Martha Grove Hipskind; 919-245-4245.
Submit Handy Helper project cost-share payment information to the OCDOA.
Marketing Resources
- Handy Helpers flyer
- Handy Helpers web graphic
Home Safety Modification Services
Find out what home safety modification services are available for you and/or your loved ones in the Triangle and how Orange County Department on Aging is taking an innovative approach to make access to these services easier for seniors. Making Seniors Homes Safer: Staying Safe While Social Distancing.