LAKEWOOD, Colo. -- Rising home costs and the hot Colorado housing market is leaving some seniors citizen vulnerable to losing their homes.
Because of rising costs, the thought of home repairs and maintenance can seem impossible for many seniors.
“I can’t do it at all, and it would be massively expensive to have someone come in and do it,” said Judy Liddy.
Liddy lives in the same Lakewood home she grew up in, and in which she cared for her aging parents.
Now that Liddy’s a senior citizen on a fixed income, she almost lost the family home to foreclosure.
“It was very scary. Since it’s my family home I love it,” said Liddy.
Liddy got caught up on her bills and now is safe in her home, but many seniors like her are living on a fixed income and they’re facing rising costs like medical expenses and property taxes.
That challenge is becoming more common as baby boomers are getting older and will make up a quarter of the population by 2060.
That’s where heroes like Jason Stutzman with Brother’s Redevelopment come in.
“The way that our real estate market is the idea of affordable housing is a big-time challenge for us here in the region, and that’s why I love working here and doing these types of projects,” said Stutzman.
Brother’s Redevelopment and volunteers from TCF Bank are painting Liddy’s home for free as a part of its paint-a-thon.
“The challenge of maintaining a home, to be protected from the elements, and be safe to utilize whether it’s a wheelchair ramp or accessible bathroom, those are the issues that I think not everybody sees,” said Stutzman.
Brother’s Redevelopment helps with home repair, financial counseling, and even providing housing for seniors.
Liddy’s house is the 98th of the paint-a-thon, and Brother’s Redevelopment hopes to have 101 homes painted by the end of September.
Brother’s Redevelopment is always looking for volunteers, and if you’re a senior who needs some help just give them a call at 303-202-6340.
