Date of Award

Spring 3-3-2014

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Abstract

This study focuses on the impact that home repair and safety modifications completed by Rebuilding Together San Francisco, a non-profit organization, has on making it possible for the elderly homeowners they serve to age safely in their homes. Various perspectives were sought to measure this impact. Homeowners who requested service but did not receive home repair assistance were surveyed to determine if not receiving service adversely affected their ability to remain safe and healthy in their home. Next, homeowners who did receive home repair and safety modifications were surveyed to explore the impact the services they received had on their ability to remain safe in their homes since repairs were made. Finally, key stakeholders were interviewed to obtain insights on what factors do and do not make the services provided by Rebuilding Together San Francisco vital to allowing seniors to age in place.

The number of seniors within the City of San Francisco is growing and challenging the existing public service system to meet their housing and health care needs at a time when financial resources are limited. As people age, there are frequent changes and modifications required and made in their living environment to help eliminate risks of falls and potential health hazards. Rebuilding Together San Francisco is a community based organization that leverages volunteer labor with corporate donations to provide repairs and install safety modifications, free of charge, to low income seniors in the City of San Francisco.

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