Revere Trust explores nonprofit partnerships to expand senior repairs program

Members of the City of Revere Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board discussed plans to expand the senior repairs program and to pursue nonprofit or private partners to scale services.

Chair Joe Grama said he and Trustee Anayo Osmaki met with a community partner to review lessons from the first round and to talk about shaping a grant or policy proposal. Grama sketched options including expanding eligibility to veterans and people with disabilities, increasing the number of $5,000 grants, or underwriting larger multi‑project repairs through partner organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and Rebuilding Together Boston. He noted past cases in which a roof repair, estimated at "15 to $20,000 worth of work," prevented a resident’s displacement.

Trustees discussed trade‑offs in the program’s original design, which required applicants to provide licensed contractor estimates and used a reimbursement model. Members noted that a first‑come, first‑serve format and documentation requirements can disadvantage seniors and residents with limited internet access, language barriers, or limited ability to gather contractor bids. Osmaki and others recommended that the fundraising subcommittee take ownership of next steps, define partner roles, and produce a timeline of deliverables for the full board to review before any formal expansion.

Trust staff will schedule a subcommittee meeting and report recommendations to the full board.