Market scope note: This article covers resources from both Korea and the United States. Each piece of information is labeled 🇰🇷 Korea or 🇺🇸 U.S. in the text to indicate which country it applies to.
The home your parents have lived in for decades is more than just a space. It holds familiar streets, familiar neighbors, familiar smells. But as we age, that same home can become a source of danger. Wet bathroom floors, high thresholds, dim lighting, narrow hallways — things that were never a problem in younger years become causes of falls and accidents. Fortunately, both Korea and the United States operate public support programs to help make the homes people already live in safer. Let's take a look at what programs are available and how to apply.
🇰🇷 Korea The first program to check is the Housing Benefit's 'Repair and Maintenance Grant,' administered by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Low-income households that own and live in their home can have the home assessed on-site for deterioration, then receive funding for repairs categorized as minor, mid-level, or major. Covered work includes not only roof leaks, wall cracks, and boiler replacements, but also improvements to everyday living facilities such as bathrooms, toilets, and kitchens. Households that own their home and have a recognized income at or below 48% of the standard median income are eligible to apply, and depending on income level, 80–100% of repair costs are covered.
🇰🇷 Korea In addition, adults aged 65 or older can receive up to an additional 500,000 won toward the installation of accessibility facilities for housing-vulnerable individuals. For seniors with disabilities, this ceiling rises to up to 3,800,000 won. Applications can be submitted in person at the 읍면동 행정복지센터 (Eup/Myeon/Dong Community Service Center) listed on your resident registration, or online at 복지로 (bokjiro.go.kr), and there is no separate application period — submissions are accepted on a rolling basis. In 2026, the standard median income increased by 6.51%, expanding the pool of eligible applicants.
🇰🇷 Korea If the home is not owner-occupied, or if the resident lives in aging public rental housing, it is worth separately looking into housing environment improvement projects for older adults run by local governments. Some local governments, including Gyeonggi Province, directly fund safety facility enhancement projects for seniors, covering items such as non-slip flooring replacement, guardrail installation, ramp construction, threshold removal, and indoor lighting improvements. Because program content and application methods vary by region, the most practical first step is to contact your local 주민센터 (community center) or 복지관 (welfare center).
🇺🇸 U.S. Korean-American families living in the United States should take note of the Older Adults Home Modification Program (OAHMP), operated by HUD (the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development). The program's goal is to support home modifications that reduce fall risks and improve accessibility so that low-income older adults can live safely in their own homes rather than moving to a nursing facility. HUD distributes grants for this program to nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, and public housing authorities, and the 2026 application round is currently underway.
🇺🇸 U.S. For seniors living in rural areas, the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) Section 504 Home Repair Program is also an important option. Low-income rural homeowners aged 62 or older who are unable to repay a loan can receive a grant of up to $10,000, and those who are able to repay can combine that with a low-interest loan of up to $40,000 at a fixed rate of 1% per year, for a total of up to $50,000 in support. Eligible repairs are those directly tied to health, safety, and mobility — such as wheelchair ramp installation, roof repair, and heating system replacement. Applications are submitted through the local USDA Rural Development office, and the process from review to completion of work typically takes 60–120 days.
🇺🇸 U.S. At the local level, each state's Area Agency on Aging uses federal Older Americans Act Title III funding to run regional home modification programs. These programs often cover everyday accessibility improvements such as installing grab bars, converting bathtubs to walk-in showers, adding stair lifts, widening doorways, and replacing round doorknobs with lever handles. You can find the Area Agency on Aging nearest to you at eldercare.acl.gov.
Sources: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and LH 한국토지주택공사 (Korea Land and Housing Corporation) Housing Benefit Guide (lh.or.kr); 찾기쉬운 생활법령정보 (easylaw.go.kr), as of August 2026; Seoul Housing Portal Repair and Maintenance Grant Guide; Gyeonggi Province 2026 Comprehensive Housing Plan (May 2026); HUD Older Adults Home Modification Program (grants.gov, simpler.grants.gov); USDA Section 504 Home Repair Program (rd.usda.gov); Senioridy and SafeAtHome Guide 2026 data.
Note: This article was compiled by AI from the sources cited above. We strive for accuracy, but for decisions about your specific situation, please confirm the latest guidance from a professional or the relevant agency.