Caregiver Compass™ · Florida Local Home Safety Resources
Port St. Lucie Area Home Safety Resources for Aging Adults & Family Caregivers
Finding the right Home Safety help can depend on exactly where the home is located. The Port St. Lucie area spans St. Lucie and Martin counties, with separate city, county and town programs, permitting offices and transportation systems.
This local guide brings the most useful starting points together so families can find repair and accessibility resources, check current program status, verify contractors and permits, prepare for hurricanes and power-dependent care, and plan transportation when driving is no longer practical.
- ST. LUCIE COUNTY
- MARTIN COUNTY
Start Here · Aging Services · Information & Referral
One aging-services helpline serves both St. Lucie and Martin counties
If you are not sure which program, service or local office applies, the Area Agency on Aging of Palm Beach/Treasure Coast is the best first call. It is the Aging and Disability Resource Center serving St. Lucie and Martin counties and can help older adults, adults with disabilities, Veterans and family caregivers understand local options.
Area Agency on Aging of Palm Beach/Treasure Coast
The Helpline is a starting point for aging, disability and caregiver resources across its five-county service area. Helpline specialists can explain available programs, help callers connect with local agencies and services, and assist with access to programs for which a person may be eligible.
Start With the Treasure Coast Helpline (opens in a new tab)Helpline
Hours
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Program eligibility, waiting lists and service availability vary. The Area Agency can help families understand current options, but it does not guarantee that a particular program will be open, funded or available to a specific household.
Repair · Accessibility · Aging at Home
Home-repair help changes by city, county — and funding cycle
Repair assistance across the Port St. Lucie area is highly jurisdiction-specific. Some programs are limited to one city, some serve only unincorporated areas, and application windows can close quickly. Use the home’s exact address to choose the correct program and confirm current funding directly before making plans around assistance.
City of Port St. Lucie Homeowner Repair & Rehabilitation Assistance
The City of Port St. Lucie’s SHIP-funded program can help eligible owner-occupants address code, health and safety needs when funding is available. The city also lists an Accessibility/Retrofit/Special Needs category for structural adaptations or permanently affixed accessibility items.
The 2026 pre-application list opened February 18 and closed after reaching 100 submissions. The city currently lists the program as closed.
When open, published maximum assistance includes:
- Comprehensive Repair Rehabilitation$50,000
- Limited Repair Rehabilitation$25,000
- Accessibility/Retrofit/Special Needs$15,000
- Disaster Recovery$25,000
Funding, income limits and application windows can change. Verify the current program page before relying on assistance.
Check Port St. Lucie Program Status (opens in a new tab)St. Lucie County Housing Rehabilitation Assistance
St. Lucie County’s FY 2025–2026 SHIP Housing Rehabilitation cycle was designed for income-eligible homeowners in unincorporated St. Lucie County. The current page says the maximum number of applications has been submitted and the application is closed.
The published repair scope for this cycle focuses on major health, safety and code issues such as roof repair or replacement, HVAC repair or replacement and septic-system repair or replacement. The county states that the program is not for cosmetic improvements and does not provide emergency repair assistance.
Check St. Lucie County Housing Updates (opens in a new tab)Fort Pierce Residential Rehabilitation Program
Fort Pierce announced a FY 2026–2027 Residential Rehabilitation Assistance application opening for October 1, 2026, with $322,514 in SHIP funding for income-eligible owner-occupied homes inside Fort Pierce city limits. The city required applicants to attend a September orientation before applying.
The city’s current Grant Programs page now lists the Residential Rehabilitation Program — Closed. Because the status can change quickly when funds are exhausted, families should confirm the current page directly before relying on the program.
Check Fort Pierce Grant Programs (opens in a new tab)Martin County SHIP Housing Rehabilitation
Martin County publishes a SHIP Housing Rehabilitation strategy for income-eligible homeowners to address code violations, health and safety hazards and major deficiencies affecting livability. Eligible repairs may include roofs, HVAC systems and septic systems, and the county emphasizes that the program is for moderate repairs rather than remodeling.
However, the county’s current SHIP status notice lists Water & Sewer Hookup and Move-in Assistance as the strategies currently accepting applications. Housing Rehabilitation is described on the page but is not currently listed in the open-application notice. Families should check the status page or call Human Services before assuming rehabilitation applications are open.
Martin County Human Services: (772) 288-5785
Application appointment line when applicable: (772) 320-3169
NONPROFIT REPAIR OPTIONS TO WATCH
Habitat for Humanity St. Lucie & Okeechobee — Repair A Home
Habitat’s Repair A Home program is designed to help qualifying low- and fixed-income homeowners with critical repairs. The current Critical Repair program page says applications are closed and the current published eligibility requirements are tied to qualifying damage from Hurricane Milton or the October 8–10, 2024 tornadoes.
When repair funding is available, Habitat says applications are accepted and reviewed for eligibility.
Check Habitat Repair A Home Status (opens in a new tab)Martin County Habitat Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative
Habitat for Humanity of Martin County’s Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative describes work that may include critical home repairs, rehabilitation, weatherization and preservation projects for qualified homeowners in identified communities. Examples on the current page include minor roof repair, steps and wheelchair ramps.
The page does not establish a current countywide application window for every type of repair. Families should contact Habitat directly to confirm whether their neighborhood, project and household are currently eligible.
Explore Martin County Habitat Neighborhood Revitalization (opens in a new tab)Address First · Program Second · Permit Office Third
A Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce or Stuart mailing address does not always tell you who has jurisdiction
Before applying for repair funding or starting a modification project, confirm the government jurisdiction for the home’s exact street address. Incorporated cities and towns may have their own building departments even when the mailing address looks like a nearby city.
St. Lucie County jurisdictions
Use the correct building authority for the property:
- City of Port St. Lucie — separate City Building Department
- City of Fort Pierce — separate City Building Department
- Town of St. Lucie Village — separate Village building/permitting authority
- Unincorporated St. Lucie County — St. Lucie County Building & Code Regulation Division
Primary links
Martin County jurisdictions
Martin County also contains separate municipal building authorities. Depending on the home, the correct authority may be:
- Martin County Building Department
- City of Stuart Building Division
- Village of Indiantown
- Town of Sewall’s Point
- Town of Jupiter Island
Primary links
Use the home’s street address — not the caregiver’s address, a PO box, or the name printed in a mailing address — when determining program and permitting jurisdiction.
Before Work Begins · Licenses · Insurance · Permits
Verify the contractor — then verify the permit path
A strong Home Safety plan is not only about choosing the right modification. Families also need to confirm that the professional is properly licensed for the work and that the correct local building authority is involved when a permit is required.
Verify a Florida contractor through DBPR
The Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation provides the state’s official license-verification tools. Search by contractor name, business name or license number, then confirm that the license status and business relationship match the person or company proposing the work.
Verify a Florida License (opens in a new tab)Ask who will pull the permit before signing a contract
Permit requirements vary by project and jurisdiction. Bathroom remodels, structural alterations, electrical work, plumbing work, ramps, doorway changes and other accessibility projects may require local review depending on scope.
Before work begins, confirm:
- which building department has jurisdiction;
- whether the proposed work requires a permit or exemption approval;
- who is responsible for applying for the permit;
- whether the contractor is registered locally when required; and
- what inspections and closeout documents will be required.
A contractor saying that a permit is “not needed” is not a substitute for confirmation from the responsible building department.
Hurricanes · Evacuation · Special Needs · Backup Power
Plan for evacuation and power-dependent care before a storm is approaching
For an aging adult who uses mobility support, oxygen, refrigerated medication or electric-powered medical equipment, the emergency plan needs to include more than shutters and bottled water. County registration, transportation planning and backup power decisions are easier to handle before a warning is issued.
St. Lucie County Special Needs Program
St. Lucie County partners with the Florida Department of Health to operate a Special Needs Shelter for people who need medical assistance during a disaster. The county strongly recommends pre-registration and says participants need to re-register each year.
Public Safety: 772-462-8100
Martin County Special Needs Registry & Evacuation Transportation
Martin County’s program serves residents with special medical, mobility or transportation needs during emergencies. It can provide transportation to an appropriate shelter for eligible registered residents. Martin County requires pre-registration and annual renewal and notes that people needing care beyond what a special-needs shelter can provide need an alternate plan with a healthcare professional.
Emergency Management: 772-287-1652
Florida Power & Light Medically Essential Service
FPL’s Medically Essential Service is available to qualifying residential customers who depend on physician-certified electric-powered medical equipment. The program can provide special notices, but FPL explicitly states that enrollment does not guarantee uninterrupted power or priority restoration after a storm.
Families remain responsible for backup medical equipment, backup power and a plan for prolonged outages. Enrollment must be renewed annually.
Explore FPL Medically Essential Service (opens in a new tab)When Driving Isn’t an Option
Transportation options differ by county
When driving is no longer practical, transportation can become part of the Home Safety plan. St. Lucie and Martin counties each operate eligibility-based paratransit services for qualified riders.
Area Regional Transit (ART) Paratransit
St. Lucie County offers ADA paratransit within three-quarters of a mile of local bus routes and a non-ADA demand-response service with a larger service area. Riders must complete an eligibility process before using these services.
Eligibility questions: 772-462-1778, option 3
MARTY Access
Martin County Public Transit operates MARTY Access, an ADA complementary paratransit service for eligible riders whose disability functionally prevents use of the fixed-route system. Martin County describes MARTY Access as a shared-ride, door-to-door service, and the current MARTY page lists service as fare-free.
ADA application assistance: 772-463-2822
Transit customer service: 772-463-2860
Caregiver Compass™ Home Safety
Use Caregiver Compass™ to plan the next Home Safety step
Local programs can help answer “what assistance exists here?” Caregiver Compass™ helps families work through the Home Safety decisions themselves — what to check, what to change, what to ask and when professional input may be useful.
Aging-in-Place Home Modifications: Where Should We Start?
If you know changes are needed but the project feels too big to organize, start by identifying the most immediate barriers and priorities.
Bathroom Safety Modifications for Older Adults
Plan bathroom changes such as showers, toilets, flooring, lighting and support in the room where many falls happen.
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.
Grab Bars for Older Adults
Think through where support may be needed and what to consider before installation.
Home Ramps for Aging Parents
Understand the questions to consider when steps or entrances are becoming a barrier.
When Should You 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.
- FEATURED PRINTABLE
Complete Room-by-Room Home Safety Checklist for Older Adults
A room-by-room starting point for identifying areas that deserve a closer look.
- FEATURED PRINTABLE
Bathroom Safety Checklist for Older Adults
Walk through showers, toilets, flooring, lighting and support needs in the room where many falls happen.
Browse the Full Aging at Home & Safety Hub
Every Caregiver Compass™ Home Safety guide, checklist, worksheet and planning tool in one place.
Caregiver Connect™ · Trusted Professional Help
Home Safety professional coverage is expanding across the Port St. Lucie area
Caregiver Connect™ is building a preferred Home Safety professional network by defined local service territory. Each territory is intended to have a professional pathway for families who want help with projects such as accessibility remodeling, bathroom changes, ramps, safer entries and other aging-at-home improvements.
Fort Pierce, St. Lucie West & Tradition
Representative communities
Fort Pierce, Lakewood Park, St. Lucie Village, Hutchinson Island North, White City, Indian River Estates, St. Lucie West, Torino, Tradition, Southern Grove, Riverland, southwest Port St. Lucie
Port St. Lucie East, Stuart & Martin County
Representative communities
East Port St. Lucie, Sandpiper Bay, Spanish Lakes, Jensen Beach, Rio, Sewall’s Point, Stuart, Port Salerno, Palm City, Hobe Sound, Jupiter Island, Indiantown
Coverage is expanding. Professional inquiry routing activates only after the local Caregiver Connect™ partner has completed the required verification process and the territory is active.
Caregiver Connect™ uses the aging adult’s home street ZIP code — where the work will be performed — to determine the service territory.
Caregiver Connect™ does not replace a family’s own contractor due diligence. Families should review licensing, insurance, experience, written estimates, project scope, permit responsibility and overall fit before hiring any professional.
Professional inquiry requests are not yet active for the Port St. Lucie area.
Questions Families Ask
Port St. Lucie Area Home Safety FAQs
Which Area Agency on Aging serves the Port St. Lucie area?
The Area Agency on Aging of Palm Beach/Treasure Coast serves both St. Lucie and Martin counties. Its Aging and Disability Resource Center Helpline can help older adults, adults with disabilities, Veterans and family caregivers understand local services and current eligibility pathways. The toll-free Helpline is 1-866-684-5885 and is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Are home-repair assistance programs currently open in Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce or Martin County?
Current availability is limited. The City of Port St. Lucie’s 2026 Homeowner Repair & Rehabilitation pre-application list is closed, St. Lucie County’s current unincorporated-area Housing Rehabilitation cycle is closed, and the City of Fort Pierce currently lists its Residential Rehabilitation Program as closed. Martin County continues to publish a SHIP Housing Rehabilitation strategy, but its current application-status notice lists Water & Sewer Hookup and Move-in Assistance — not Housing Rehabilitation — as open. Funding and application windows can change quickly, so confirm the current status directly before relying on assistance.
Does the City of Port St. Lucie offer help for accessibility modifications?
When funding is available, yes. The City of Port St. Lucie’s Homeowner Repair & Rehabilitation program includes an Accessibility/Retrofit/Special Needs category with published assistance of up to $15,000. The city says qualifying work may include structural adaptations or permanently affixed accessibility items that improve access or use of the home for a household member with a disability. The current 2026 application list is closed, so families should monitor the city’s housing page for a future funding cycle.
How do I know which building department handles a Home Safety project?
Use the property’s exact jurisdiction, not only the mailing city or ZIP code. On the St. Lucie County side, the correct authority may be the City of Port St. Lucie, City of Fort Pierce, Town of St. Lucie Village or unincorporated St. Lucie County. On the Martin County side, it may be Martin County, the City of Stuart, Village of Indiantown, Town of Sewall’s Point or Town of Jupiter Island. Confirm the jurisdiction and permit requirements before work begins.
What should we do if an aging adult depends on electric-powered medical equipment during hurricane season?
Build a backup power and evacuation plan before a storm. St. Lucie County and Martin County each operate Special Needs programs for qualifying residents, and Florida Power & Light offers Medically Essential Service for qualifying customers with physician-certified electric medical needs. FPL specifically states that enrollment does not guarantee uninterrupted power or priority restoration, so backup equipment, backup power and an alternate plan remain important.
How does Caregiver Connect™ decide which Port St. Lucie area territory a home belongs to?
Caregiver Connect™ routes Home Safety inquiries by the aging adult’s home street ZIP code — the address where the work will be performed. The Port St. Lucie area is divided into two internal service territories: Fort Pierce, St. Lucie West & Tradition; and Port St. Lucie East, Stuart & Martin County. Internal ZIP lists, population estimates and partner-routing details are not published.
Organizing More Than the Home?
The Caregiving Concierge™ is a family caregiving coordination platform: a shared care workspace where families can organize essential information, coordinate responsibilities, and see what needs to happen next.