WINTER PARK, Fla. — Over two weeks ago, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded $3.7 million dollars to three nonprofit organizations nationwide to provide home repair services for low-income seniors and seniors with disabilities across the country. 

The Center for Independent Living in Central Florida (CIL) was one of the three to have received the federal grant money, which they say will now help low-income seniors remain in their homes and “age in place.” 

CIL’s Operations Director, Charlotte Leavitt, said this is the first time that CIL received funding from the federal government, adding it was their third time applying for the HUD’s Older Adults Home Modification Program funding.

Leavitt said CIL is set to receive $1.22 million over the next three years.

As a result, the nonprofit will be able to serve 65 households a year, for a total of 195 households over the three-year period for the grant.

She said those who qualify for funding must be 62 years old and over and low-income.

Leavitt is confident this funding will benefit many low-income seniors in Central Florida, including Mark and Barbara Morley, a mother and son living in a mobile home at the Summerloch Green 55+ Community in Casselberry.

Every day, Mark Morley has to wear a plastic splint on his foot just so he can walk properly.

“My foot kind of drops, when I walk, it kind of flops,” said Mark, as he removes his splint.

The 59-year-old Casselberry resident was diagnosed with what doctors refer to as "foot drop," within the last decade.

“It’s kind of hard for me to walk a little bit, I don’t quite feel like walking a lot,” said Mark.

His condition worsened two years ago and has made daily tasks like walking a challenge.

Just going up and down the front steps to his home is a difficult task.

His mother, Barbara, with whom he lives with, says she has no choice but to consider getting a ramp for her son. She recently requested one from CIL.

“It would benefit him in that he could get in and out of the house easier, and I’m not sure as time goes on. Is he going to end up in a wheelchair? And then we’d definitely would need a ramp,” said Barbara.

Now, with the help of CIL, the Morleys are eligible to receive a ramp free of charge, which usually costs between $6,000 and $15,000.

The $3.7 million federal grant will now pave the way for organizations like CIL to support their home modifications program.

“It makes a huge impact for people’s physical and mental health and wellbeing — really simple things that a lot of people take for granted, like walking in and out of your house, checking your mail, going to the grocery store,” said Leavitt.

Leavitt said such equipment can pave the way for seniors to live independently in the comfort of their own homes rather than living in a group home or assisted living facility, which is often thought of as a “last resort.”

A sentiment that resonates with Mark.

“I would probably rather live by myself. Independently,” he said.

Even though he may not be able to walk as much as before, Mark has found his ways of keeping busy since sharing a home by his mother’s side.

“We play bingo Wednesday nights from 7 - 9:15 and I play guitar,” said Mark.

He hopes to stay there for many more years to come.

Leavitt said that as Central Florida’s aging population continues to grow, so does demand of their services.

This comes a day after Orlando was ranked the best U.S city to retire in, according to WalletHub.