Bernard's Story

If you live in any neighborhood in Tompkins County, chances are you know the families that have been there for generations…maybe yours is one of them. Often, farms or homesteads are passed down, kept in the family, a very fundamental way that the drive to care for one’s relatives is made very clear.

Bernard Personius is no exception. Now 78, he has lived in his Brooktondale home since the age of six. Bernard’s father built the home, and it has stayed in their family. In recent years, it has shown wear, with the foundation crumbling, a very old furnace, collapsing roof, and other problems. With a limited income from Social Security that barely covers the utilities and groceries, and demands on his health in recent years, Bernard was faced with a dilemma, unable to keep up with the repair demands. Still, he remained determined that the home not be lost.

Better Housing was able to help by addressing the above needs with a grant through the Caroline Housing Rehabilitation Program. We also made accessibility upgrades to ensure Bernard can continue living in the home, such as a wheelchair ramp, an accessible shower that is safer than climbing over a tub wall, and wider doorways to accommodate Bernard’s electric scooter.

Bernard reports a good experience with the Better Housing staff. "They’ve done very good by me", he explained recently. "Anyone who asks, I tell them it’s a good organization".

Bernard’s is just one of over 2,300 great stories to tell…and just one of over 350 housing rehabilitation participants we’ve helped keep their older homes and make them safer and more liveable in communities all over Tompkins County.