A contractor showed up at Annette Graff’s Crothersville home in the summer and told her what work they would be doing in the coming months.

Crothersville Town Hall officials had helped her fill out an application in late 2015 after the town was awarded $155,570 through an Owner-Occupied Rehab Aging in Place Project grant, which is presented through the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority.

She was so thankful for the help and decided to go to the town hall to express her gratitude.

“I just gave them the biggest hug and started crying because they made me so happy,” said Graff, 56. “With me and my low income, it saved my life. That’s all I can say. It saved my life.”

Graff’s portion of the grant money allowed her to receive three new doors, new windows, guttering and an overhang on the outside and a new heating and air conditioning unit and an all new bathroom in her home at 107 N. Jackson St.

The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority provides opportunities for qualifying Hoosier homeowners to receive assistance to make much-needed repairs to their homes, according to in.gov/ihcda.

The program allows eligible entities to apply for grant funding to complete repairs on owner-occupied residential properties. Funding of up to $25,000 may be used to address conditions in a home that, if left unattended, would create an issue with the integrity of the home or become a detriment to the quality of life for the residents.

The Owner-Occupied Rehab Aging in Place Project is designed primarily to assist the elderly, but it also could help those needing handicap accessibility.

Read the full story in Thursday’s Tribune and online at tribtown.com.