HALO Home Adaptation Loans for Disabled and Seniors
Author: Solar and Energy Loan Fund (SELF)
Published: 2019/01/09 - Updated: 2026/01/15
Publication Type: Announcement
Category Topic: Finance - Related Publications
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates
Synopsis: This announcement details a multi-organizational partnership providing affordable home renovation financing specifically designed for Florida residents with disabilities and senior citizens through the Home Adaptation Loan Options (HALO) program. The information is authoritative because it comes directly from the Solar and Energy Loan Fund (SELF), a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), along with partner organizations including the Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology (FAAST) and the Florida Housing Coalition. What makes this particularly useful for people with disabilities and older adults is the program's focus on ability to repay rather than credit scores, offering 5-7% interest rates for essential home modifications like wheelchair ramps, walk-in showers, HVAC systems, and home automation - accommodations that directly impact safety, independence, and quality of life for those who need accessible housing but may lack traditional financing options - Disabled World (DW).
Introduction
Several organizations are teaming up to provide affordable Home Adaptation Loan Options (HALO) for disabled and elderly homeowners in Florida.
Home Adaptation Loan Options (HALO) make it easy for senior citizens and disabled homeowners in Florida to be able to afford upgrades that make their homes safe and accessible.
Main Content
The nonprofit Solar and Energy Loan Fund (SELF), the Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology (FAAST), the Florida Housing Coalition (FHC), and the National Disability CDFI Coalition have joined forces to help disabled homeowners and senior citizens complete much-needed home renovations. The partnership expands access to low-cost financing for home adaptations, aging in place, and assistive technologies.
SELF's Chief Financial Officer, Duanne Andrade, said;
"SELF is excited about the new HALO program and the recent $400,000 award from the US CDFI Fund." She said, "Loans will be available for home improvement projects, ranging from roof and A/C replacement to wheelchair ramps, walk-in showers, home automation, and other assistive services." Most importantly, she noted, "the loans are based on the person's ability to safely repay the loan, rather than credit scores."
Through this collaboration, SELF will provide financing with 5-7% interest rates, with terms up to 10 years.
One of the chief architects of the new HALO program is Eric Reed, Deputy Director of the Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology. Eric said;
"FAAST is dedicated to helping those with disabilities live their life to the fullest. Now, through this new partnership, we can help even more people improve comfort, safety, and livability in their homes."
SELF is also a member of the National Disability CDFI Coalition, whose mission is to help Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFI) connect with disability communities. Gregory Pickett, Executive Director of the Coalition, said:
"Florida's need is great, with over five million people over the age of 65 and an estimated 1.8 million people with disabilities." He said, "We are so glad to have SELF as a member of our coalition, so we can work together to promote independence for more Floridians with disabilities."
"With record-breaking heat and hurricanes this year, many seniors and disabled homeowners require significant home renovations to keep their homes safe," said Jaimie Ross, the President, and CEO of The Florida Housing Coalition (FHC) - which is Florida's statewide nonprofit provider of affordable housing training and technical assistance, dedicated to ensuring that all Floridians have access to a quality affordable home. "We are excited about this partnership to help improve the health and overall quality of life for seniors and disabled homeowners in Florida."
St. Petersburg homeowner, Sylvia Thompson, recently secured an affordable loan from SELF for a new high-efficiency air conditioner. Her child with cerebral palsy and epilepsy is prone to seizures during hot summer months. Having a functional air conditioner not only lowered her electric bills, but it greatly improved living conditions. Sylvia described the SELF program as a "blessing."
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: The HALO program represents a significant shift in how financial institutions approach lending for disability-related home modifications, moving away from credit-score dependency toward practical assessment of repayment capacity. With Florida's substantial population of 5 million seniors and 1.8 million people with disabilities, many face the harsh reality of choosing between needed home adaptations and financial stability. Traditional lending often excludes these populations precisely when they need support most, making this partnership between SELF, FAAST, the Florida Housing Coalition, and the National Disability CDFI Coalition a practical model that other states might consider replicating. The real-world impact is evident in cases like Sylvia Thompson's, where an affordable air conditioner loan directly reduced seizure risk for her son with cerebral palsy and epilepsy - proving that accessible financing for home modifications isn't just about convenience, but about health outcomes and genuine independence - Disabled World (DW).Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by Solar and Energy Loan Fund (SELF) and published on 2019/01/09, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.