Home Safety Help for Aging Adults in the Daytona Beach Area
A safer home can make an enormous difference for an aging adult who wants to remain independent — but knowing where to start is not always easy.
Families across Daytona Beach, Port Orange, Ormond Beach, Palm Coast, New Smyrna Beach, DeLand, Deltona and surrounding Volusia and Flagler communities may encounter different housing programs, permit authorities, transportation systems and emergency-planning resources depending on where the home is located.
This page brings those local starting points together in one place.
- Volusia County
- Flagler County
- Home Repair
- Accessibility
- Emergency Planning
Start With ElderSource
One Aging and Disability Resource Center serves both Volusia and Flagler counties, which makes ElderSource the cleanest first call when a family is not sure which aging program, caregiver support, in-home service or local agency to contact.
ElderSource HelpLine
ElderSource is the Area Agency on Aging and Aging & Disability Resource Center serving both Volusia and Flagler counties. Its HelpLine can connect older adults, caregivers and adults with disabilities to local services and programs.
Call (888) 242-4464. The HelpLine is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Florida Relay 711 and translation services are available.
Start With the Problem You Need to Solve
A family looking for a grab bar may need a completely different program than a family facing a failing roof, an inaccessible bathroom or transportation barriers. Start with the type of help you need, then confirm which city or county serves the home’s address.
Need Help Paying for Repairs or Modifications?
Flagler County, Volusia County, Daytona Beach and Deltona operate different housing-repair programs with different eligibility rules, service areas and intake status. Start with the section for the home’s location.
Need a Smaller Safety Change?
Grab bars, railings, transfer equipment and other targeted modifications may fit programs designed for smaller home-safety needs rather than full rehabilitation. Housing Daytona Beach and the Council on Aging of Volusia County are worth checking for eligible households.
Need Help Getting to Appointments or Errands?
Volusia and Flagler operate different transportation systems. Eligibility and reservation rules vary, so apply before you need the first ride.
Does Someone Depend on Oxygen, Electricity or Extra Assistance?
Both counties maintain special-needs programs for residents who may need medical or transportation assistance during evacuation. Registration should be handled before a storm is approaching.
Flagler County Has a Dedicated Aging-in-Place Modification Grant
For owner-occupied homes in Flagler County, the county’s Housing Repair & Rehabilitation Assistance program is one of the strongest local starting points in this market.
Senior Barrier-Free Home Modification Grant
Flagler County lists a Senior Barrier-Free Home Modification Grant of up to $12,000 for homeowners age 60 and older. Eligible aging-in-place modifications can include ramps, widened doors, walk-in showers, grab bars, comfort-height toilets and lever handles.
The county says there is currently a wait list. Applications are accepted online year-round and prioritized by income and documented special needs. Timelines vary, and the county says it is common for applicants to wait six months to a year.
Examples the county lists
- Ramps and widened doors
- Walk-in showers and grab bars
- Comfort-height toilets and lever handles
Larger Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation
Flagler County also lists owner-occupied rehabilitation assistance of up to $80,000 for major systems and long-term habitability needs, including roofing, electrical, plumbing, windows, accessibility, wind mitigation and energy efficiency. The county describes these as preservation-focused programs, not emergency repair.
Flagler County Senior Services
Flagler County Senior Services serves residents age 60 and older and can arrange or provide case management, homemaking, respite, home-delivered meals, information and referral, energy assistance and other aging supports.
Program funding, eligibility, waitlists and award limits can change. Confirm current information directly with Flagler County before relying on a program.
Check the Address Before You Apply in Volusia County
Volusia County’s housing programs do not apply uniformly to every city. In particular, the county’s Emergency Repair program excludes homes inside Daytona Beach and Deltona city limits, which have separate city programs.
- APPLICATIONS CURRENTLY ACCEPTED
Volusia County Emergency Repair
Volusia County currently accepts applications for its Emergency Repair program, with up to $20,000 available as a zero-interest, five-year deferred/forgivable loan for eligible homeowners. Covered needs can include roof, HVAC, septic or well work, utility hookups and small accessibility improvements such as a wheelchair ramp or grab bars.
Important: the county’s program overview says the home must be in Volusia County but outside the city limits of Daytona Beach and Deltona.
A pre-screen is required. The county currently directs interested residents to call (386) 736-5955 or email Community Assistance to schedule a screening.
- NEW APPLICATIONS PAUSED
Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation
Volusia County paused new applications for its larger Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation program effective September 22, 2026. The county says applications received before that date remain active and will continue through eligibility review. The pause remains in effect until further notice depending on funding availability.
Look at Small Home Modifications Separately From Major Rehabilitation
A full rehabilitation program is not always the right fit. Some families need a smaller change — a grab bar, rail, transfer aid or another targeted modification that makes daily movement safer.
- AGE 62+ · LOW-COST MODIFICATIONS
Housing Daytona Beach — Older Adult Home Modification Program
Housing Daytona Beach’s Older Adult Home Modification Program is designed for eligible low-income homeowners age 62 and older and focuses on low-cost, high-impact changes that can reduce fall risk and improve accessibility.
Examples on the current program page include grab bars, railings, lever-handle doorknobs and faucets, temporary ramps, tub/shower transfer benches, handheld shower heads, raised toilet seats, furniture risers and non-slip strips.
The program uses occupational-therapy expertise to help match modifications to the older adult’s functional needs. Confirm the current geographic service area and program availability when you contact Housing Daytona Beach.
Council on Aging of Volusia County — Chore Services
Council on Aging of Volusia County provides light chore services that can include bathroom grab-bar installation, small painting projects, outlet-cover changes and other minor repairs.
As donations and grant funds are available, qualified seniors may be eligible for services at no charge or for a modest co-payment. Private-pay service is also offered.
Daytona Beach Has a Separate Repair Program — and a Separate Rehabilitation Waitlist
Do not combine these two city programs. The separate Repair Program remains published by the City, while the Rehabilitation/Reconstruction Program stopped accepting new waitlist requests in September 2026.
Daytona Beach Repair Program
Daytona Beach’s Repair Program provides assistance to eligible low-income, owner-occupied households for health, safety and potential code-enforcement repair issues. The City lists a maximum forgivable mortgage loan of $15,000.
- REHABILITATION WAITLIST CLOSED TO NEW REQUESTS
Rehabilitation/Reconstruction Program
The City announced that the Rehabilitation/Reconstruction Program waitlist closed to new requests effective September 15, 2026. Daytona Beach cited average wait times of 5 to 10 years. Homeowners already on that waitlist keep their existing placement.
This closure applies to the Rehabilitation/Reconstruction Program waitlist, not to the separate Repair Program.
Deltona Has Its Own SHIP Repair Programs
- APPLICATION PATH AVAILABLE
Minor Home Repair Grant
Deltona’s Minor Home Repair Grant can provide up to $30,000 to eligible owner-occupants inside Deltona city limits. The program lists accessibility modifications alongside roofing, electrical or plumbing upgrades, weatherization and septic work, with projects generally limited to up to two trades.
Applicants must meet program requirements, and applications are placed on a waiting list.
Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation
Eligible Deltona homeowners may also be considered for the larger Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Program, which lists assistance up to $125,000 as a zero-interest deferred loan for critical health, safety and code-compliance repairs, including accessibility modifications.
Pre-applications are placed on a waiting list.
Caregiver Connect™ Is Building Verified Professional Coverage in the Daytona Beach Area
Some home-safety projects go beyond a checklist or small household change. Caregiver Connect™ is building a network of verified Home Safety professionals by defined local territory so families can request help based on where the aging adult’s home is located.
Professional inquiry routing should activate only after an approved Preferred Partner has completed the required Caregiver Connect™ verification for that territory.
The Home’s Location Determines the Right Starting Point
“Volusia County” is not the same thing as “Volusia County program jurisdiction.” Daytona Beach and Deltona administer separate housing programs, and incorporated municipalities may have their own permitting systems.
Before applying for assistance or starting construction, use the home’s street address to confirm the city or county that administers the program and the building department that has jurisdiction.
Flagler County
County housing programs may serve eligible owner-occupied homes in Flagler County, but building and permit jurisdiction can still differ depending on whether the property is inside a municipality such as Palm Coast or in unincorporated Flagler County.
Volusia County
Volusia County currently accepts applications for its Emergency Repair program, but that program specifically excludes homes inside Daytona Beach and Deltona city limits.
Daytona Beach, Deltona & Other Cities
City limits matter. Use the city’s housing and building department when a program or permit is administered municipally, and confirm jurisdiction before relying on a county program.
Use the home’s address — not the caregiver’s address — when deciding which local resource to contact.
Verify the Contractor — Then Verify the Permit Path
Accessibility remodeling can involve structural, plumbing, electrical or other regulated work. Families should verify the contractor independently and confirm permit requirements with the local authority before work begins.
Step 1: Check Florida DBPR
Search by contractor name or license number in the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation database. Make sure the license belongs to the business or person doing the work and check the current status.
Step 2: Confirm Insurance & Who Will Pull the Permit
Get the contractor’s legal business name, license number and proof of insurance. Ask who will apply for required permits and who will schedule inspections.
Step 3: Contact the Right Building Department
Requirements vary by project and location. Confirm with the appropriate local authority.
Volusia County
Permit & Zoning Center
Port Orange
Building Permit Requirements
New Smyrna Beach
Building & Inspections
Hiring in Volusia County? Review Volusia County Contractor Licensing (opens in a new tab) as well.
Register Before a Storm Is on the Way
For an aging adult who depends on oxygen, refrigerated medication, mobility equipment, CPAP or another electrically powered medical device, evacuation planning takes more than a supply checklist.
Volusia and Flagler both maintain special-needs programs for residents who may need medical or transportation assistance during an evacuation. Registration and eligibility should be handled in advance.
- Volusia County
Volusia County Special Needs Sheltering
Volusia County asks residents with physical, mental or sensory disabilities and residents who need supplemental oxygen to register for its Special Needs Shelters program.
The County notes that special-needs shelters are not hospitals and are not intended for people who require 24-hour dedicated care, a hospital bed, ventilator or other complex care. Families should plan for the caregiver to accompany the person when that level of everyday assistance is normally needed.
- Flagler County
Flagler County Individuals With Special Needs
Flagler County’s program is designed for residents who may need additional medical or transportation support during an evacuation. Eligibility factors can include dependence on oxygen therapy or electricity for life-supporting medical equipment, as well as assistance with basic everyday tasks.
Residents can register online or submit a form, and people who do not otherwise qualify for a special-needs shelter can still register transportation needs for an emergency.
Transportation Options Differ by County
A home can be physically safer and still be difficult to live in if an aging adult cannot reliably reach appointments, groceries or essential services. Apply before the first ride is urgently needed.
- Volusia County
VoAccess
VoAccess serves eligible people throughout Volusia County who, because of physical or mental disability, are unable to transport themselves and cannot use fixed-route bus service.
VoAccess provides both ADA and Transportation Disadvantaged services, with different eligibility rules. An application and eligibility determination are required.
- Flagler County
Flagler County Public Transportation
Flagler County Public Transportation is a demand-response, shared-ride, door-to-door service. Eligible riders countywide include older adults and people with disabilities, and riders must apply and be approved before the first trip.
The County recommends booking several days ahead because schedules fill quickly.
Plan the Next Step With Caregiver Compass™
Local programs can help with funding or services. These guides and planning tools can help your family understand the home-safety decisions themselves.
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Aging in Place: Where to Start
If you know changes are needed but the project feels too big to organize, start by identifying the most immediate barriers and priorities.
Read the guide -
Home Modifications After a Fall
A fall can reveal problems with walking paths, bathrooms, stairs, transfers, lighting, entrances, and everyday routines that were easy to overlook before.
Read the guide -
Home Ramps for Aging Adults
Understand the questions to consider when steps or entrances are becoming a barrier.
Read the guide -
Grab Bars for Aging Adults
Think through where support may be needed and what to consider before installation.
Read the guide -
When to Hire a Home Safety Professional
Use this guide when you are trying to decide whether a small household change is enough or the project needs outside expertise.
Read the guide -
Complete Home Safety Checklist
A room-by-room starting point for identifying areas that deserve a closer look.
Open the checklist -
Bathroom Safety Checklist
Walk through showers, toilets, flooring, lighting and support needs in the room where many falls happen.
Open the checklist -
Browse the Full Home Safety Hub
Every Caregiver Compass™ Home Safety guide, checklist, worksheet, and planning tool in one place.
Go to Aging at Home & Safety
Professional Help Based on Where the Home Is Located
Caregiver Connect™ organizes the Daytona Beach area into local service territories so a request can be routed based on the location of the aging adult’s home.
Flagler County, Ormond Beach & Holly Hill
Representative communitiesPalm Coast, Flagler Beach, Bunnell, Beverly Beach, Hammock, Ormond Beach, Ormond-by-the-Sea, Holly Hill, north Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach, Port Orange & Southeast Volusia
Representative communitiesDaytona Beach, South Daytona, Daytona Beach Shores, Wilbur-by-the-Sea, Ponce Inlet, Port Orange, New Smyrna Beach, Edgewater, Oak Hill
West Volusia — DeLand, Deltona & DeBary
Representative communitiesDeLand, DeLeon Springs, Glenwood, Lake Helen, Cassadaga, Orange City, DeBary, Deltona, Osteen, Enterprise, Pierson, Seville, Barberville
Professional coverage is being built territory by territory. A professional inquiry pathway should activate only after an approved Preferred Partner has completed the required Caregiver Connect™ verification for that territory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I start if I need home-safety help for an aging adult in the Daytona Beach area?
Start with ElderSource if you are not sure which local program applies. ElderSource is the Aging and Disability Resource Center serving both Volusia and Flagler counties and can connect older adults, caregivers and adults with disabilities to local services. For repair funding, the next step is to identify the exact city or county where the home is located because program jurisdiction differs.
Does Volusia County help pay for ramps, grab bars or home repairs?
Volusia County’s Emergency Repair program currently accepts applications and can include small accessibility improvements such as wheelchair ramps or grab bars for eligible homeowners, along with certain urgent home-system repairs. The county program excludes homes inside Daytona Beach and Deltona city limits. The larger Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation program is currently paused for new applications.
Does Flagler County have an aging-in-place home modification program?
Yes. Flagler County lists a Senior Barrier-Free Home Modification Grant of up to $12,000 for eligible homeowners age 60 and older. The county lists ramps, widened doors, walk-in showers, grab bars, comfort-height toilets and lever handles as examples. There is currently a wait list.
Is Daytona Beach’s home-rehabilitation program open?
Daytona Beach announced that the Rehabilitation/Reconstruction Program waitlist closed to new requests effective September 15, 2026. The city’s separate Repair Program remains listed on the city website and offers assistance for qualifying health and safety repairs, so families should contact Community Development to confirm current availability before applying.
How do I verify a home-modification contractor in Florida?
Use the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation license search to verify the contractor by name or license number. Also confirm insurance, ask who will pull required permits, and check the appropriate city or county building department before work begins.
What transportation help is available for aging adults in Volusia and Flagler counties?
In Volusia County, eligible riders who cannot use regular fixed-route service because of disability may qualify for VoAccess. In Flagler County, Public Transportation operates a demand-response, shared-ride, door-to-door service for approved riders, including older adults and people with disabilities.
You Don’t Have to Figure Out Every Home-Safety Decision at Once
Start with the problem creating the greatest immediate safety concern.
That may be getting safely through the front door. It may be a bathroom that has become difficult to use, a roof or electrical problem that cannot wait, transportation to an appointment, or simply uncertainty about which local program applies.
Use the local resources on this page to see whether assistance may be available, then use Caregiver Compass™ to plan the next step.
Resource information reviewed October 1, 2026. Program funding, eligibility, waitlists, intake status, fares and contact information can change. Always confirm current information with the agency or organization before relying on a program.
Caregiver Compass™ resources are educational and organizational tools. They do not replace individualized medical, occupational or physical therapy, construction, engineering, accessibility, emergency-management, legal, financial or other professional advice. This page does not determine program eligibility, building-code or permit requirements, ADA compliance or contractor suitability.
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