I recently had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Terry Higashiyama, community services administrator for the City of Renton, and she told me about a program that the city runs that was new to me. I thought if I hadn’t heard about it, some of you might not have. It’s the Housing Repair Assistance Program (HRAP), which has been in existence since 1978.

The program provides minor home repairs to homeowners who have “extremely low” to “low” incomes (based on HUD guidelines). Seniors and others in need can get help with all sorts of repairs. Things like faulty electrical problems, plumbing issues — even leaky toilets are fair game –gutters and furnaces and installation of safety or disability aids, such as carbon-monoxide detectors and hand rails. These are things that are important to keep homeowners safe in their homes. I think of a lot of elderly women whose husbands pass away and they are now left to deal with tasks that he always performed; I am sure a lot of them could benefit from this assistance. Many of the customers who received this assistance report that it allowed them to repair health hazards, save money on energy bills, increase their feelings of safety and continue to live independently. They also report that the repair folks are considerate, thoughtful and kind and describe the service as “excellent.” Most also report that the program coordinators respond in a timely fashion to their requests (important to know that you aren’t going on some interminable waiting list), call before they are going to show up and show up on time, and explain the work they are going to perform.

Tim Lawless, coordinator of the program, told me, “The current focus is on health and safety services that often have the effect of enabling our more senior clients.” It also allows them to remain in their own homes longer than they might have had they not received the service, and reserve their limited income for more important items, such as food, housing and medicine.

One elderly client wrote to the program saying, “As an elderly woman who lives alone, it can be overwhelm-

ing when minor repairs are needed. It can also be frightening when I don’t know who I can trust to fix them.” If you have an elderly or low-income neighbor that might benefit from this service, let them know about this program.

More information and applications are available on the City of Renton website, rentonwa.gov. For those without internet access, they can phone 425-430-6650 to request an application.

Susan Bressler is an active member of a number of Renton organizations, including the Renton Chamber of Commerce. E-mail her at scbressler@comcast.net.