Mar 24, 2025
The community of Andover, New York is rallying to help a senior long-time resident have safe housing.
Paul Glover, 82, had lived in his home for nearly 50 years, but it fell into extreme disrepair as he couldn't afford to pay to fix things and ultimately had to be demolished.
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According to a GoFundMe page started by his neighbors to build him a new tiny home, a lot of the structural beams had rotted and the whole left side of his house was ready to collapse.
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Glover’s neighbor, Melissa Fuller, became concerned for his safety and told WKBW TV, “I was worried that he was gonna be covered in rubble, and I would be the one out here, first one on-site, to dig him out of that rubble."
Seeking help
Fuller, who helped the elderly Glover by providing food, water and grocery trips, said the system has failed him. She knew Glover would not be able to afford a new home on his own. The latest Census bureau figures for Allegany County, New York show the median monthly owner costs with a mortgage is $1,191 and the median gross rent is $754.
A local church stepped in and donated a camping trailer, which is now parked on Fuller’s property and temporarily providing shelter for Glover.
Fuller tried to get help from legislators and village leaders. “Any resources that are available really don’t apply to something like this,” she explained.
The GoFundMe campaign has successfully raised nearly $17,000, but an additional $8,000 is still needed to complete the project.
Fuller is urging the local community to help. “Anything that the community or surrounding communities can help with would be so appreciated right now,” she said.
Seniors going through financial challenges can have a harder time maintaining housing and, as seen in Glover’s case, this can majorly impact their lives. Read on to learn how to plan ahead and understand what resources are available.
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Smart ways to plan for housing costs in your later years
Seniors across the U.S. are facing mounting housing challenges because of rising costs of rent and repairs.
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Before the pandemic, nearly 10 million older adults struggled with housing affordability, according to Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, and one can assume with inflation the situation has only gotten worse. According to the National Council on Aging, 80% of Americans 60 and older have very few resources to pay for long-term care or weather financial emergencies.
Smart planning today can set you up for a more secure financial future. Here’s how to get started.
Create and stick to a budget for future expenses, including housing and healthcare. Take advantage of government programs such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) for financial aid. Staying informed and regularly updating financial plans with guidance from advisers is critical because your health and financial situation can change.
Check if you qualify for a Section 202 property. You can use the U.S. Department of Housing and Development website and speak to a HUD-approved housing counselor if you have questions about finding housing.
Compare senior housing options like independent living or assisted facilities. If you want to stay at home as long as possible, consider home modifications to improve accessibility and safety because this could delay the need for you to move to a facility.
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Freelance writer with an economic development and consulting background.
