A furnace that won’t kick on. An AC unit that quits in July. Gutters you can’t reach anymore. For older homeowners, these problems can quickly become dangerous.
The St. Louis Area Agency on Aging (SLAAA) offers home repair and chore assistance for homeowners age 60 and older who live in the City of St. Louis.
The program can help with heating and cooling repairs, basic plumbing, electrical work, and safety improvements. A separate Chore Program connects older homeowners with volunteers who help with tasks like yard work and painting.
Volunteer chores and contractor repairs are handled differently, and some contracted repairs may require you to pay part of the cost.
Here’s what you need to know.
What Repairs Are Covered?
Through its Senior Minor Home Repair Program, SLAAA helps eligible older homeowners access several types of repairs.
These may include:
- Heating and cooling repairs: Fixing problems with furnaces, air conditioners, and other heating or cooling equipment.
- Basic plumbing: Minor repairs to plumbing systems.
- Electrical work: Basic electrical repairs that help keep a home safe and functional.
- Interior and exterior repairs: Smaller repairs inside or outside the home.
- Accessibility improvements: Installing ramps, handrails, and grab bars to make it easier and safer to move around the home.
These services are intended for minor home repairs and basic modifications, not major renovations.
The work is coordinated through a partner agency, which helps schedule the repairs.
Available assistance may depend on the type of repair, program resources, and whether the work falls within the program’s scope.
What Does the Chore Program Do?
SLAAA also has a separate Chore Program that uses volunteers to help older homeowners with everyday maintenance tasks.
According to the program’s community service listing, volunteers may help with:
- Yard work
- Painting
- Gutter cleaning
- Window cleaning
- Minor carpentry
- Other basic household maintenance tasks
This assistance can be especially useful for older adults who have difficulty climbing ladders, working outdoors, or keeping up with physically demanding chores.
The Chore Program is different from the contracted repair service. Volunteers handle basic maintenance tasks, while more specialized repairs are coordinated separately.
Contact SLAAA to confirm which chores are currently available, whether supplies are provided, and whether there are any costs.
Does It Cost Anything?
Contracted home repairs may require you to pay part of the cost, depending on the work involved.
The city does not publish a single standard fee for every repair.
Before agreeing to any work, ask SLAAA whether you would be responsible for any charges and what those costs might be.
The Chore Program uses volunteers, but its current cost and supply arrangements should be confirmed directly with SLAAA.
Who Qualifies?
To qualify for the Senior Minor Home Repair Program, you must:
- Be 60 years old or older.
- Own and live in your home.
- Live within the City of St. Louis, Missouri.
This is a city program, so living in St. Louis County outside city limits does not automatically make you eligible.
You must also provide documentation showing that you own your home.
The city’s published eligibility information does not specify a single income limit for this program. However, meeting the basic requirements does not guarantee that every requested repair can be completed.
If you’re unsure whether you qualify for the Chore Program, ask SLAAA about its current requirements.
How Do I Apply?
Start by contacting the St. Louis Area Agency on Aging (SLAAA).
The office is located at:
St. Louis Area Agency on Aging
1520 Market Street, Room 4086
St. Louis, MO 63103
Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The city directs interested residents to contact SLAAA to participate. You can find its contact information and program details on the official Senior Minor Home Repair Program page.
You’ll need to provide one of the following:
- Proof that you own your home; or
- A current paid real estate property tax receipt.
For contracted repairs, SLAAA connects eligible homeowners with a partner agency that helps schedule the work.
When you contact the office, explain what needs attention in your home. Be specific about whether you need a repair, a safety modification, or help with a maintenance chore.
You can also ask whether the service is currently available, how long scheduling might take, and whether you would need to contribute toward the cost.
Are There Other Home Repair Options in St. Louis?
Yes. If the SLAAA program cannot help with your particular repair, there are other local options worth exploring.
Mission: St. Louis
Mission: St. Louis provides minor home repair assistance to eligible homeowners in St. Louis.
Its programs may use contractors or volunteer groups, depending on the type of work.
Mission: St. Louis has its own eligibility requirements involving age or disability, homeownership, residency, and other circumstances. These are not necessarily the same as SLAAA’s requirements.
You can review the organization’s current application information to see whether your household qualifies.
Healthy Home Repair Program
The City of St. Louis also operates a Healthy Home Repair Program for eligible homeowners who need qualifying repairs.
This program has additional requirements, including income and property-related rules.
It also maintains a waiting list, so assistance may not be available right away.
If your home needs repairs beyond what SLAAA can provide, it may be worth checking whether this program is accepting applicants.
Relief Recap
The St. Louis Senior Minor Home Repair and Chore Program helps older homeowners address repairs and maintenance tasks that can become difficult or unsafe to manage alone.
If you’re 60 or older, own and live in your home, and reside within the City of St. Louis, you may qualify for assistance with heating and cooling systems, plumbing, electrical repairs, or accessibility improvements.
Volunteer chore services may also help with yard work, painting, gutter cleaning, and other basic maintenance. Some contracted repairs may involve a cost, and services depend on local availability.
To get started, contact the St. Louis Area Agency on Aging. Explain what needs to be fixed and ask which repair or chore services are available for your home.
