Habitat for Humanity of Smith County CEO Jack Wilson speaks at the podium in Doris and Robert Lee's front yard of their Tyler, Texas home during a press conference in honoring the house as the 1000th household assisted by TDHCA through its Amy Young Barrier Removal Program (AYBR). The AYBR Program provides a one-time grant of up to $20,000 per unit for home modifications aimed at improving the home’s accessibility for low-income persons with disabilities. Lee’s home was one of 100 households served through Habitat for Humanity Smith County, an administrator of the AYBR program. (Sarah A. Miller/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Robert and Doris Lee sat outside their Tyler home celebrating not only a rehabilitated residence, but also a milestone in a state program that aids others like them.

The Lees’ home was the 1,000th household assisted by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs through its Amy Young Barrier Removal Program.

The program provides a one-time grant of up to $20,000 per unit for home modifications aimed at improving a home’s accessibility for people with disabilities who live on low incomes, according to a news release about it.

The Lees’ home was one of 17 households served through Habitat for Humanity of Smith County, an administrator of the Amy Young program since its inception in 2010.

At the house, Habitat for Humanity of Smith County used the funds to demolish and replace lower and upper kitchen cabinetry, install countertops and new sink features, add new flooring to the kitchen and bathroom, along with other repairs to make the family’s home more accessible and safe for Robert Lee.

The Amy Young Barrier Removal Program uses a limited amount of state general revenue — about $3.4 million per two-year state funding cycle — to assist people with disabilities earning less than 80 percent of the area median family income.

In 2018, Smith County Habitat received $372,842 in Amy Young Barrier Removal Program funding.

Through the funding, the state has served an average of 112 households per year since 2010.

Funds are awarded to cities, counties, public housing authorities and nonprofit organizations that work directly with low-income individuals at the local level.

TWITTER: @Tylerpaper

To learn more about the Amy Young Barrier Removal Program, or to find the program administrator nearest you, visit the program’s web page at http://www.tdhca.state.tx.us/htf/single-family/amy-young.htm.

For more information about Habitat for Humanity of Smith County, call 903-595-6630 or visit smithcountyhabitat.org.