The full version of this paper will appear in the January / February 1998 issue of Technology and Disability.

In recent years, there has been increased understanding of the growth in the need for, and benefits of, home modifications. Yet this widened appreciation is hampered by a lack of awareness of resources and threats to many existing funding and financing sources. The public has limited familiarity of the private or public resources for home modification projects that are available to households of all income levels. For example, the most frequently asked question by people who call the Center for Universal Design national information services is how to pay for home modifications. A family's search over the next few years is likely to become more difficult. As with almost all affordable housing initiatives, these programs directed at helping people with low incomes take care of home modifications are plagued with insufficient funds to meet the need. Waiting lists seem common while many are turned away. Federal initiatives that provide millions of dollars of support for home modifications for low and moderate income households are currently in danger of elimination or reduced funding. This will create greater competition for the uses of the remaining funds and new demands on funding from within states. Unless those interested in this issue take an aggressive position, home modifications stand to be the loser in battles against medical costs, and other affordable housing initiatives.

Part of the problem is that manufacturers and the housing industry do not sense great demand in the private sector. Too few households see home modifications as viable remodeling options. As a result, remodelers have not developed skills and experience, and manufacturers and retailers don't emphasize product development, design or marketing in ways that might take advantage of the potential market. New strategies need to break this cycle so that the potential of home modification to improve lives to be realized.

This paper will review funding, financing and other resources for home modifications, outline the current constraints and future limitations to these resources and suggest actions to increase the availability of home modifications.