Before the Next Fall

For Florynce, the concern wasn't a repair that had already failed.

It was what might happen next.
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After experiencing multiple falls and ongoing balance challenges, getting around her home had become increasingly difficult. Simple daily routines, stepping into the shower, navigating the basement stairs, or using the entrances to her home, carried risks that many people don't think about until a fall occurs. For Florynce, those risks had become part of everyday life.

Like many homeowners, she knew changes were needed. But living on a fixed Social Security income meant the cost of making those improvements was difficult to manage. The repairs that could help prevent future falls were simply out of reach.

Through funding provided by HUD's Healthy Homes Production Program, Rebuilding Together Charleston was able to help address those concerns before they became something more serious.

Working with Mountain Momma Contracting, several safety improvements were completed throughout the home. New handrails were installed at the front entrance, side entrance, and along interior stairways. Deteriorated basement stairs were replaced with a new, more stable staircase. Grab bars were added in the bathroom to provide additional support where slips and falls often occur.

None of these repairs would be considered dramatic on their own. There was no major renovation or complete transformation of the property. Instead, each improvement focused on a specific safety concern, creating a safer path through the places Florynce relies on every day.

That is often what healthy homes work looks like.

While some projects are easy to notice, many of the most important repairs are designed to prevent something from happening. A handrail can help prevent a fall on the front steps. A grab bar can provide stability when entering or leaving a bathtub. Safe stairs can reduce the risk of injury while moving through the home. The goal isn't simply to repair a house. It's to address hazards before they lead to a crisis.

If you own and live in a home in ZIP code 25302 and have concerns about the safety of your home, you may qualify for assistance through HUD's Healthy Homes Production Program. Learn more about eligibility and application requirements on our Healthy Homes Program page.

For Florynce, the value of the project isn't measured by new materials or construction work. It's measured by something much more personal: the ability to move through her home with greater confidence and fewer worries about what might happen the next time she takes the stairs, steps into the shower, or walks through her front door.

Sometimes the most important home repairs aren't about fixing what is broken. They're about helping prevent the next fall before it happens.