MIFA Handyman Program

MIFA’s Handyman program helps low-income homeowners make the repairs necessary to remain in their homes. These critical repairs – structural issues, sagging floors, faulty electrical outlets, damaged water pipes, broken furnaces, worn roofing – seem easy to fix, but for many low-income seniors doing their best to remain independent, home maintenance is unaffordable.

Funding: The Handyman program, with the support of the City of Memphis’ Division of Housing and Community Development and Energy Smart Memphis (a partnership with MLGW), provides these minor but critical home repair services for eligible seniors in the Memphis area. Additional support comes from United Cerebral Palsy of Middle Tennessee, which provides materials for wheelchair ramps built by volunteers. Funding from the Aging Commission of the Mid-South supplies grab bars, wheelchair ramps, and other handicap accessibility modifications for qualifying elderly or disabled recipients.

Eligibility: Eligibility criteria vary depending on the service requested.  For home repairs, homeowners must be over 60 or disabled, be current on their property taxes, and meet federal low-income guidelines. On average, Handyman receives 15 requests per day for repairs, roughly 7 of which are determined eligible to receive the program’s services. Those prospective clients are asked to submit proof of income, and about half of them comply.

Wait List: If a situation requires immediate attention (serious water leak, dangerous electrical problem, lack of heat), the application is given priority. For less pressing issues, the client is added to a waiting list for repairs. These lists generally have:
            75-100 people awaiting home repairs
            15-20 people awaiting yard clean-up
            15 people awaiting wheelchair ramp installment

Staff: All projects are completed by Handyman staff, hired contractors (licensed and bonded), and volunteers. Over 200 volunteers help complete 425 repairs each year. Handyman staff members also educate clients about energy conservation, pest control, hiring contractors and repairmen, and basic home maintenance.

MIFA Handyman is always seeking willing volunteers (no “handiness” or experience necessary) and talented contractors (general, roofing, HVAC, and plumbing) interested in helping an under-served community. To volunteer, contact Mary Claire Borys at 527-0208, ext. 288, or mcborys@mifa.org.