Arlington Repair Program Combines Funding Sources to Keep Longtime Couple in Their Home

Arlington's Housing Rehabilitation Program has helped a longtime couple stay in their home by pairing city resources with outside support, officials and the homeowners said. JoAnn and Carrol Thacker, who have lived in their Arlington house for roughly 40 years, received bathroom modifications and exterior repairs that they said had been out of reach financially.

The house is where the couple raised their children and built decades of memories. As it aged, though, maintenance costs became a burden. "We liked the neighborhood. We liked our house. It just needed some repairs that we could not afford at the time," the couple said.

The Thackers applied to the city program in December 2025. After assessing the property, housing rehabilitation specialist Lorenzo Corral concluded that the needed work was beyond what the standard program could cover on its own. Instead of closing the application, Corral and the Housing Rehabilitation team looked for additional funding.

Because Carrol Thacker met disability requirements, the team secured help through the city's Architectural Barrier Removal Program. That funding paid for changes to the bathroom, including a wider main doorway, removal of a pony wall, and replacement of a bathtub with a zero-entry walk-in shower. Crews also added grab bars and a shower bench. "The bathroom is beautiful. Now we can go in there and not worry about falling," the couple said.

The exterior work came through a partnership with the Arlington Board of REALTORS Community Service Foundation, known as ARBOR. With its support, the property received repairs to deteriorating wood, and overgrown trees and shrubs were cleared. Those repairs lowered the home's overall needs, which could allow the Thackers to qualify again for the city's forgivable loan program in the future.

"The Housing Rehabilitation team works to meet homeowners' needs while also making homes more code-compliant and energy-efficient," Corral said.

The city's involvement is continuing. Officials are now checking whether the couple qualify for a Veterans Grant that could pay for electrical updates. LaToya Lewis, a representative of the program, said the aim is to help with costly repairs "so that they can remain in their home and live there for years to come."

The article also noted several steps homeowners can take to reduce fall risks, particularly for seniors who want to age in place. Bathrooms carry the highest risk, and grab bars near toilets and in showers, along with non-slip mats or benches, can help. Better lighting in hallways, stairwells and entryways reduces nighttime falls, and removing loose rugs, trailing cords and clutter clears the way for people using walkers or wheelchairs.

JoAnn Thacker encouraged other residents who receive information about the program to apply. "The whole program has been a blessing to us," she said. "It's made a 100% difference in our lives. And it's our home."