For Immediate Release
Community Foundation of St. Joseph County Awards $60,000 to AHEPA 100 Senior Apartments for Fall Prevention Renovations
Grant Will Fund Tub-to-Shower Conversions with Safety Rails for 25 Apartments, Helping Very Low-Income Seniors Age Safely at Home
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — [May 20, 2026]— AHEPA Senior Living announced today that AHEPA 100 Senior Apartments has received a $60,000 grant from the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County to convert 25 bathtubs to walk-in showers equipped with safety rails—a targeted safety upgrade for very low-income seniors at risk of life-altering falls.
The need is well-documented. Each year, an estimated three million older adults visit emergency rooms following falls, and more than 319,000 of those visits involve hip fractures. In 2023, the CDC reported that fall-related mortality rates had risen to 69.9 deaths per 100,000 people — a significant increase over the prior two decades.
AHEPA 100 Senior Apartments is a HUD Section 202-subsidized community that has served very low-income older adults since 2004. The grant from the Community Foundation will fund the conversion of 25 units, with renovations scheduled to begin in early 2026 and be complete by year’s end. Matching funds have been identified through HUD 202 reserves, allowing work to begin immediately upon award.
“Safety is the foundation of healthy aging — and for very low-income seniors, that safety cannot be taken for granted,” said Aaron Perri, Vice President, Community Impact at the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County. “This grant reflects a commitment to the older adults of St. Joseph County who deserve to live with dignity and independence in their own homes. We are proud to support AHEPA Senior Living on a project that will have a direct, measurable impact on resident safety for years to come.”
“Safe housing means safe bathrooms,” Panos Niarchos, board president of AHEPA 100, Inc., said. “Our residents have worked hard their entire lives. They deserve to age at home without fear of falling. This grant from the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County will protect the health and independence of dozens of seniors who count on us, and we are deeply grateful.”
“Fall prevention is one of the most direct investments we can make in the long-term health and stability of our residents,” Ike Gulas, Chairman of the Board of AHEPA Senior Living, said. “The Community Foundation of St. Joseph County’s investment in AHEPA 100 reflects exactly the kind of community partnership that makes a difference for older adults who have no safety net beyond the home we provide. We are honored by this support.”
St. Joseph County’s older adult population faces measurable hardship. An estimated 7,948 residents over age 55 were classified as living in poverty during the 2023 census, and 13.2% of the county’s population lived with severe housing problems in 2024. AHEPA 100’s Phase II community, which opened in December 2025, added capacity for 72 additional residents, a direct response to ongoing demand for safe, affordable senior housing in the region.
AHEPA Senior Living welcomes foundations, corporate partners, and individual donors who share its commitment to housing stability, resident health, and dignified aging. Gifts to AHEPA communities support direct resident services — from safety upgrades like this one to health and wellness programming, service coordination, and quality-of-life enhancements that federal funding does not cover.
To explore partnership opportunities, contact Andrew Kaffes at akaffes@ahepaseniorliving.org or visit www.ahepaseniorliving.org.
About AHEPA 100 Senior Apartments
AHEPA 100 Senior Apartments is an affordable independent living community located at 53871 Generations Drive in South Bend, Indiana. Subsidized through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Section 202 program, the community has served very low-income older adults since 2004. It is owned by AHEPA 100, Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, and is managed by AHEPA Senior Living.
About the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County
The Community Foundation of St. Joseph County is a charitable endowment dedicated to improving the quality of life for the citizens of St. Joseph County and their succeeding generations. Since its founding in 1992, the Foundation has grown to become one of the top 100 community foundations in the United States, connecting donors who care with causes that matter across the region. Through competitive grantmaking, scholarship support, and leadership initiatives — including a dedicated Senior Living Initiative — the Foundation invests in the long-term health, dignity, and well-being of St. Joseph County residents. Learn more at cfsjc.org.
About AHEPA Senior Living
AHEPA Senior Living (operating name of AHEPA National Housing Corporation, EIN: 52-1295844) is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has provided affordable housing and quality aging services to older adults since 1980. Today, AHEPA Senior Living serves more than 5,000 residents across 89 communities in 19 states through affordable independent living, assisted living under the Hellenic Senior Living brand, and comprehensive service coordination. AHEPA Senior Living welcomes all people, regardless of race, color, national origin, or faith, and is an Equal Housing Opportunity provider. Learn more at ahepaseniorliving.org.
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