Fort Wayne residents who want to make their homes more accessible, such as by installing a chair lift or ramps, can now apply for grant funding to make those improvements possible, the city announced Thursday.
The Residential Accessibility Modifications Program is open to homeowners within the city limits whose household includes a person with a permanent disability. Recipients must also meet income requirements, a news release said.
Officials are happy to again offer the popular program, said Kelly Lundberg, director of the Office of Housing and Neighborhood Services.
“Accessibility modifications allow people to stay in the homes and neighborhoods they love while also increasing property values,” she said in a statement. “This is just one more way Community Development is working to preserve and improve our city’s existing housing stock, as well as provide more housing options for residents.”
Eligible projects include those inside and outside of the home. They may address lighting, windows, doors, walls, ceilings, flooring, stairways, bathrooms, kitchens, walkways and steps, according to the city website.
Funding is limited, the release said, and applications will be reviewed on a first-completed, first-processed basis. Participation, which is not guaranteed, will be determined on a first-qualified, first-served basis.
Residents may benefit from the program once because of the demand, the website states.
The program is financially supported by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the release said.
Go to engage.cityoffortwayne.org/2025-accessibility to apply or call 260-427-8585 for a paper application.
Residents needing language assistance should contact the Language Services Network at 260-426-6764.
All applicants must answer prescreening questions to determine their eligibility before completing the application.
Applicants must provide documentation about their household income and their household member’s permanent disability, the release said.
