Your Stories
Every story makes the case.
Across Illinois, older homeowners are working to keep the homes they've spent decades building. Many have raised families in these houses and anchored their neighborhoods for generations. Now leaking roofs, flooded basements, and unsafe stairs put their safety and independence at risk.
The need is real. When Chicago opened its home repair program in 2025, 6,818 homeowners reached out in just eleven days. The city expected to help fewer than 300 of them.
These are their stories, and they show why Illinois needs a statewide home repair program.
Your experience matters. Whether you're still looking for help, found it, or hit a wall along the way, your story shows lawmakers what's at stake. It also helps neighbors, caregivers, and local programs understand what seniors need, and it points others toward resources and trusted help.
Meet Illinois Homeowners
From Chicago's West and South Sides to Riverdale, these seniors are fighting to stay safe in the homes they love. Some are still waiting for help. Others found it and want to make sure their neighbors can too.
Vernita Saunders' Story: Home Repair on Chicago's South Side
Vernita Saunders needed a safe, accessible bathroom but didn't know where to turn. A friend's referral to H.O.M.E. got her the grab bars she needed.
Cheryl Johnson's Story: Home Repair in Chicago's West Englewood
Since 2019, Cheryl Johnson has kept up her West Englewood home alone. Now it needs porches, gutters, handrails, and more, and finding help is hard.
Eric Sawyer's Story: Home Repair in Chicago's Austin Neighborhood
Eric Sawyer's Austin home is partly repaired. The city fixed his basement and doors, but he can't find a program to replace the roofs storms keep damaging.
Cheryl King's Story: Home Repair on Chicago's West Side
Cheryl King has lived in her West Side home since 1963. Now the house her grandmother left her needs window and porch repairs she can't afford.
Share Your Story
Your story helps legislators see the real cost of unmet home repairs and helps other seniors find help. Share as much or as little as you'd like. It helps to include:
The repairs your home needs
Where you've looked for help, and what happened
How these repairs affect your daily life
Your information stays with Fix Our Homes Illinois and is never sold.