CRA Housing Rehab Program Offers Help to Northwest Neighborhood

The City of Lake Wales and area partners are lending a helping hand to seniors, providing home improvements and repairs

The city's Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Legacy Housing Rehabilitation Program is designed to help homeowners 65 and older in the Northwest Neighborhood with a variety of services, such as roof repairs, exterior painting, light construction, and lawn cleanup.

The program is supported by area partners including Keystone Challenge Fund, the Lake Wales Police Department, Aetna, Medicare, Lowes and Roosevelt Academy.

"There are a lot of seniors in need of help," said CRA Project Manager Darrell Starling. "The program helps seniors who are not physically capable or financially able to tackle big projects at home," he added.

The program partners supply construction materials and paint supplies, and volunteers complete the work. The Lake Wales Police Department sources many of the volunteers through its "Be the Change Program."

"Volunteers from last year's Legacy event said they look forward to helping this year because it makes them feel rewarded," Lake Wales Police Department Sargent Ed Palmer said.

Students at Roosevelt Academy are also getting involved in the program. They are using their skills building raised planters for seniors to grow flowers and plants.

Seniors interested in service must apply on or before April 27 by 5 p.m.

Applications may be submitted by standard mail to CRA Project Manager Darrell Starling at 201 W. Central Ave. Lake Wales, FL 33859, or by email to [email protected]. For further details and access to the application visit the website of the Legacy Housing Rehabilitation Program.