Senior Handyman Program

The Senior Handyman Program has had a long and successful history in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. The program started in Rolling Meadows in 1999 after a survey geared toward the senior community identified a need for a trusted handyman for minor home repairs and maintenance. In 2013, a Senior Housing Needs Assessment prepared for the five communities belonging to the Northwest Suburban Housing Collaborative (NWSHC)—Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Mount Prospect, Palatine, and Rolling Meadows—recommended expanding the program to serve seniors in all five communities. The program was expanded in 2014 and is managed by the North West Housing Partnership (NWHP). In 2017, the townships of Palatine, Wheeling, and Oak Park reached out to the NWHP after hearing demand for this program from members in their communities. NWHP established partnerships with these townships and extended the program to seniors in their communities. The program has served as a successful model for intergovernmental collaboration and has been critical in delivering services needed for community residents to age in place.

All residents 60 years of age or older in partner communities qualify for this program and can reach out to NWHP to schedule repairs. Repairs covered by the program include:

• Toilet repair and replacements
• Grab bar installation
• Faucet repair and replacements
• Door and door lock repair and replacements
• Small drywall repair and painting of repaired area only
• Light fixture repair and replacement
• Drain repair
• Other miscellaneous small repairs

Residents schedule all repairs directly with the contracted handyman. NWHP provides the client with name and phone number of the handyman, and makes sure all handymen have appropriate identification, to avoid scams and build trust with often vulnerable seniors. The hourly rate is on a sliding scale based on household income, with thresholds established by HUD, ranging from fully covered by the program to $40/hr. While homeowners are responsible for the cost of materials, NWHP will seek donated materials if the household is not able to cover the cost. For home modifications beyond the scope of the program, NWHP will work with seniors to identify trusted contractors and find financial resources as needed.