By Dr. Janet Alvarez Gonzalez, Legislator, Dallas County District 25, Texas Silvered Hair Legislation

As a representative of the Texas Silver-Haired Legislature in Dallas County District 25, I have witnessed how housing insecurity—and especially unsafe housing conditions—directly threatens the health, independence, and dignity of our elder population. Safe and affordable housing is not a luxury for older adults; it is a medical, social, and moral necessity.

In Dallas County, many elders are aging in homes they have lived in for decades. While these homes hold deep personal and community value, they are often in serious need of repair. Leaking roofs, unsafe electrical wiring, broken heating and cooling systems, damaged flooring, and inaccessible bathrooms are not mere inconveniences—they are health hazards. For elders living on fixed incomes, even minor repairs can be financially impossible, forcing them to live in conditions that place them at constant risk of injury or illness.

The lack of funding and availability for home repair and accessibility programs is one of the most overlooked yet solvable challenges facing elders today. Simple repairs and modifications—such as installing grab bars, repairing steps, improving lighting, fixing plumbing, or weatherizing homes—can prevent falls, reduce hospitalizations, and allow elders to remain safely in their homes. These preventive investments are far less costly than emergency medical care or long-term institutional placement.

Too often, elders delay seeking help until a crisis occurs. By then, the damage—to their health, finances, and independence—is already severe. As a healthcare professional, I see home repair assistance as preventive medicine. Stable, safe housing directly improves physical health, mental well-being, and overall quality of life.

As a legislator of the Texas Silver-Haired Legislature, I urgently call on county leaders, state legislators, nonprofit organizations, faith-based groups, contractors, and community volunteers to step forward. We need increased funding for elder home repair programs, streamlined access to services, and expanded public-private partnerships that can respond quickly when elders need help.

I also call on our community members: if you are a contractor, skilled tradesperson, donor, or volunteer, your support can make the difference between an elder remaining safely at home or being forced into crisis. Helping an elder repair a roof, install a ramp, or fix a heater is not just an act of service—it is an investment in dignity, health, and community stability.

Dallas County’s elders built our neighborhoods, raised our families, and contributed to our economy. Now, they need our help. Ensuring that their homes are safe, accessible, and livable is a responsibility we all share. Let us act with urgency, compassion, and purpose—because aging with dignity should never depend on luck.