UCH Partners with Community Foundations to Improve Quality of Life for Residents

Muir Manor partners with many community organizations to improve quality of life for its residents.

In 2017, the Horseshoe Foundation of Floyd County, Indiana, partnered with Muir Manor to replace 10 bathroom floors, 11 kitchen floors and bedroom and living room carpet in nine apartments. The foundation awarded a $10,000 grant to complete the project.

Faye said her tenants were ecstatic with the new flooring in their apartments. The project also benefited their guests.

“One resident said she felt like she’s a princess waking up to a castle every morning now,” Faye said. “These tenants, they’ve never had anything like this. This has been a new way of life. With the help of Horseshoe, we’ve been able to improve the quality of life for our residents.”

Additional funding of $6,362 in 2013 went toward an exterior door and outdoor sign, and $2,500 in 2014 funded replacement flooring. The 2015 grant amount of $3,036 paid for a storage shed and parking lot repair. All grants came from the Horseshoe Foundation of Floyd County.

Community foundation partnerships are integral to the United Church Homes mission to transform aging. With affordable housing communities in 14 states and two Native American nations, each location has its own set of challenges, which are met with innovative approaches individualized to meet the needs of each community.

“The Horseshoe Foundation is pleased to support organizations who are doing such great work in our community and we hope to continue our partnership in the future,” said Jerry Finn, executive director.

The AARP and the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University show in Housing America’s Older Adults: Meeting the Needs of An Aging Population that the existing housing stock is unprepared to meet the escalating need for affordability, accessibility, social connectivity and supportive services.

“As the demand for low-income housing increases, we also are observing competing needs for the limited funding available to provide programming and capital improvements in our communities,” said Alissa Clouse, director of major gifts and grants at United Church Homes. “Partnerships with local foundations are integral for providing quality homes with services for low-income older adults. We are incredibly grateful for foundation support, which provides abundant life for residents in our communities.”