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Independent living council seeks $500,000 to expand home access modifications for people with disabilities
Summary
The Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia asked the committee for $500,000 to scale a Home Access Program that modifies homes for accessibility; the group said $100,000 funded 13 households last year and more than 400 households remain on a wait list.
A representative of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia addressed the subcommittee to request $500,000 to expand the Home Access Program, which provides home modifications — ramps, accessible bathrooms and entryway work — to help people with disabilities live independently.
What the group said: Victor McRae, speaking for Executive Director Shelley Simmons, said the program received $100,000 in the prior fiscal year and that money was exhausted by August; the funding assisted 13 households in the fiscal year. McRae said the council currently maintains a waitlist of about 400 households needing accessibility modifications and that $500,000 would help roughly 50 to 65 households depending on project scope.
Why it matters: The presenter said 13 percent of Georgians reported they have a disability (data cited by the speaker) and noted many rural housing units predate ADA accessibility standards, which leaves households without safe entry/exit or accessible bathrooms.
Ending: The presenter requested the committee consider increasing the program budget during FY2026 appropriations to reduce the wait list and keep more Georgians living independently.
