When Stephen suffered a severe stroke in January of 2017, his family did not think he was going to make it. In fact Stephen was pronounced dead at the hospital. But the Dorchester native was not ready to quit and he soon began the fight of his life.
Stephen’s wife Tara knew that when and if he was able to come home, the family home needed to be ready for him. Tara had to move quickly to make the house accessible, and she faced significant costs. Stephen needed a deck removed and a room built in its place, an access ramp to accommodate a wheelchair, an accessible bathroom, and a walk-in closet. Tara was referred to Metro Housing and the Home Modification Loan Program (HMLP).
“Without HMLP, I’d be in big trouble. Metro Housing’s Sue Shea made it so easy for our contractor and made our lives so much easier at a time when we needed it,” said Tara.
The HMLP provides loans for access and safety modifications for elders and persons with disabilities and families with children with physical or cognitive disabilities.
Stephen’s recovery will be a long one, but Tara is forever grateful. “The Home Modification Loan gave me the ability to give my husband a place to call home, within our home.”
