The Arlington Housing Rehabilitation Program continues to make a profound difference for longtime community members, ensuring that homes remain safe, accessible, and up to code for those who need it most. Recently, this essential city initiative provided life-changing repairs for homeowners JoAnn and Carrol Thacker, proving that collaborative local government programs can have a monumental impact on the lives of everyday citizens.

For the Thackers, their Arlington residence is far more than just a house. It is the cornerstone of their family history, the place where they raised their children and built approximately 40 years of cherished memories. However, as the home aged alongside them, the necessary upkeep became financially overwhelming.

In December 2025, the couple applied for the City of Arlington’s Housing Rehabilitation Program, hoping to secure assistance for the mounting repair costs. Following a thorough property assessment, housing rehabilitation specialist Lorenzo Corral determined that the scope of repairs exceeded what the standard program could solely cover. Rather than denying the application or leaving the project unfinished, Corral and the Housing Rehabilitation team actively sought alternative funding avenues to ensure the Thackers could remain comfortably in their home.

A Multi-Agency Approach to Comprehensive Home Rehabilitation

To bridge the funding gap, the city turned to its specialized initiatives and vital community partnerships. Because Carrol Thacker met specific disability requirements, the team successfully secured assistance through the City’s Architectural Barrier Removal Program. This allowed for extensive, tailored modifications to the couple’s bathroom, significantly enhancing their daily safety and mobility.

The transformative interior project included widening the primary doorway for better clearance, removing an obstructive pony wall, and completely replacing a hazardous bathtub with a modern, zero-entry walk-in shower. The team also installed secure grab bars and a dedicated shower bench.

Beyond interior accessibility, the home required critical exterior improvements to protect it from elemental damage. For this phase, the city partnered with the Arlington Board of REALTORS Community Service Foundation (ARBOR). Through ARBOR’s generous support, the property underwent vital exterior remediation, addressing deteriorating wood and clearing overgrown trees and shrubs. By completing these specific repairs, the Thackers’ overall property needs were reduced, potentially opening the door for them to qualify once again for the City’s forgivable loan program in the future.

“The Housing Rehabilitation team works to meet homeowners’ needs while also making homes more code-compliant and energy-efficient,” noted Corral, underscoring the comprehensive nature of the program.

The city is actively continuing its support for the couple, currently determining whether the Thackers qualify for a specialized Veterans Grant, which could fund further essential electrical updates.

“We understand that home repairs are expensive, and our goal is to assist them with those expensive home repairs so that they can remain in their home and live there for years to come,” explained LaToya Lewis, a representative of the City’s Housing Rehabilitation Program.

For the Thackers, the city’s intervention has preserved not just a structure, but their home. “The whole program has been a blessing to us,” said JoAnn Thacker, strongly encouraging other residents who receive information about the program to apply. “It’s made a 100% difference in our lives. And it’s our home.”

“It’s made a 100% difference in our lives. And it’s our home.”

Arlington Network