Age Friendly Home Investment Program to see budget cuts in 2025

The Cleveland Department of Aging’s Age Friendly Home Investment Program (AFHIP), which assists seniors with home repairs and upgrades, will allocate $75,000 to each ward in 2025, down from $150,000 in 2024, the program’s fifth year.

The first five years were supported by the city’s capital fund, but year six will be supported by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds from the federal government. Unused 2024 funds will roll over into next year.

According to Director of Aging Mary McNamara, year five saw 151 jobs completed and paid, with 23 jobs still in production. The average cost per job came out to $10,794.45. Applications to enroll in the program opened in August and will remain open until all funds are spent.

Cuts and limitations

Cleveland City Council Member Jenny Spencer expressed concern during the Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday, Nov. 25 about the decrease in funding for year six. She wants to make sure that the dollar amount set aside for the Age Friendly Home Investment Program goes back up in 2026.

“I am concerned about what happened to AFHIP in year six,” Spencer said. “We are up to $150,000 per ward, $2.55 million total in year five. Then year six, it shifted to ARPA and we are back down to $75,000 per ward. I’m not quite sure how that happened.” 

McNamara reiterated that the first five years were sponsored by capital funds. Council Member Kevin Conwell requested a future conversation about the budget and the timeline of contracts.

Council Member Joe Jones suggested that more funds be allocated to wards with greater need. He said that budgeting evenly across all wards doesn’t necessarily serve the difference in residents’ needs across the city.

This year, the Department of Aging also completed 5,150 grass cuts and provided 11,838 rides through the Senior Transportation Connection. 

Council Members Rebecca Maurer and Charles Slife said that mileage limits can prevent some seniors from getting across town. The Senior Transportation Connection currently offers one round-trip ride for seniors per week, with a restriction on how many miles can be traveled per ride. 

McNamara said those limitations are directly related to funding.

Senior Walks continued

The Department of Aging has launched a new weekly walking program for seniors every Wednesday at Zelma George, Collinwood and Gunning recreation centers. After launching the program this past summer and receiving strong feedback from senior residents, the department has decided to continue the program indoors for the winter. Residents can call their respective recreation centers for more information.

Read the live tweet thread from Documenter Dan McLaughlin: