As the need for affordable housing grows, advocates say preserving existing homes— especially for older adults— is becoming just as critical. People over 50 are now the fastest-growing group facing homelessness, according to housing advocates. At the same time, many are struggling to keep up with rising repair costs, insurance and property taxes. Habitat for Humanity reports that 19 million older adults live in homes that are in disrepair. For Linda Reynolds, 66, those challenges became overwhelming. “I’m just overwhelmed… this is so much more than I ever expected,” she said. Reynolds bought her home in Azle 11 years ago, knowing it needed repairs but expecting she would have time to address them. “But I got hurt on the job and lost my employment,” she said. Over time, the repairs piled up, including a leaking roof. “I would have 10 inches of water,” Reynolds said. After exhausting her savings, she turned to a local nonprofit, Servolution Network, for help. “This morning, God descended upon my house in the form of Servolution, and he is repairing things that I have not had the ability to repair for years,” she said. Jason Malewiski leads the organization while also working full-time and raising a family. “So our whole purpose in life is pretty simple. Love God, love people, and restore hope,” he said. The nonprofit provides major home repairs for seniors, veterans, people with disabilities and single mothers, helping them remain in their homes. “We help folks age in place. We’ve noticed a huge trend post-COVID, where if people were struggling before COVID, they’re really struggling now,” Malewiski said. He said rising costs have made the problem worse. “So now in 2026, we see a trend where insurance is a luxury, not a requirement. So a lot of people are having their roofs collapse. They have leaky roofs, foundation shifting, and siding decaying on their houses,” he said. What Servolution is seeing locally reflects a broader national trend. Most older adults live in homes built before 1980, according to researchers. “The more repair needs a home has, the more we worry about older adults who are living on a fixed income — especially in this moment when the cost of supplies and the workforce are increasing,” said Samara Scheckler, a researcher with Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies. She said many older adults face what researchers call the “dual burden” of housing and care costs. “Once an older adult can’t afford to maintain their home, it can have very serious implications from an economic perspective. Home equity is the largest source of wealth for most older adults, and unmet repairs can chip away at that equity,” Scheckler said. She also noted potential health risks. “Unmet repair needs can also have health implications — loose steps, falls, mold. We worry that these conditions can aggravate other health issues,” she said. And poor housing conditions can increase isolation. “Poor home conditions can also add to isolation because people may feel uncomfortable inviting their family or community into their home,” Scheckler said. Rising insurance costs are adding pressure in states like Texas. “In many places — especially Texas, Florida, and California — homeowners are having a hard time keeping up with skyrocketing insurance costs,” she said. Scheckler said there is no comprehensive federal repair assistance program, leaving many to rely on limited local resources. “It is important to know that we do not have a comprehensive federal repair assistance policy. That means residents are relying on a patchwork of regional programs — and many of those programs are too small to support the number of people who apply,” she said. Servolution Network currently has a waitlist of 30 homes and is working to keep up with demand, despite rising material costs. “Fundraising is really hard as a nonprofit… The price of a two-by-four is tripled, and that just goes exponentially for every other material that we need,” Malewiski said. The organization recently completed its 400th home project in 10 years, relying on volunteers, donors and corporate partners. For Reynolds, the repairs mean more than just fixing a home. They offer a path forward. “I have hope to do that now,” she said, describing her dream of opening her home to teach sewing and gardening classes. A federal proposal, the Road to Housing Act, includes a pilot program that would offer grants and loans to help stabilize aging housing. The bill passed the Senate in March but still requires approval in the House. You can find a list of local repair programs available in Texas here. ...read more read less