Miami Lakes has received a $5,000 grant to aid senior citizens with basic repairs and maintenance on their properties.

The money was awarded to Safe Housing Assistance Program for the Elderly, a city program which will make repairs to seniors’ homes.

Mayor Michael Pizzi says that he began the program after an 85-year-old resident came to his office in tears. She had received a code citation for the paint on her house and could not afford to hire a painter.

“I went into the community and got some volunteers and supplies and we went out on a Saturday and we painted her home for her,” Pizzi said.

Though they were able to help her, Pizzi found that this was not an isolated case.

“The Miami Lakes community is aging,” Pizzi said. “We realized there were a lot of senior citizens who can’t keep up with repairs on their homes.”

Many seniors live on fixed incomes and do not have family nearby. Their properties often fall into disrepair as they can neither make changes themselves nor afford to hire someone.

Pizzi said he will reach out to local high school students and Boy Scout troops to help cut grass, paint houses or any other code violations that need to be fixed. All of the money from the grants will go to supplies for the repairs.

With the new funding, the program will be able to accommodate seniors who call in to ask for help.

“They are like parents and grandparents,” Pizzi said. “They were there for us our entire lives and we can’t abandon them.”

The grant was one of four awarded to communities by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs. Miami Lakes’ program ranked second in the state among the applicants, behind Gadsden County’s senior safety program.

“The program serves two purposes. To help seniors, but also to help beautify the town,” Pizzi said.

For more information on the Safe Housing Assistance Program for the Elderly, Clarisell de Cardenas, the special events and committees coordinator, at city hall, 305-364-6100.