THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, October 22, 2021 Page 19 CENSUS | FROM PAGE 1 which is a decrease from the last Census in 2010, when Malden’s White population was 52.5%, or, 31,211 residents. The city’s Black population also decreased slightly percentage-wise since 2010, at 14.2%, down from 14.4% in 2010. On the fl ip side, Pratt explained, the two demographic groups which showed significant increases in population were Asian residents, now making up 25.8% of Malden’s total (11,898) and Latinos, which nearly doubled since the last census, to 10.4%. Pratt put in further perspective for the Councillors. “In 2010, one in five Malden residents were Asian; now it is one in four local residents,” he said. “In 2010, roughly one in two Malden residents were people of color. Now that number is three of fi ve residents are people of color.” The Malden Offi ce of Strategic Planning and Community Development representative said the fact that Malden is now majority minority would pay dividends, literally, when it comes to federal funding. Majority minority communities are eligible for more programmatic subsidies and grant monies from the federal government. Pratt did note that the demographic groupings identified in the Malden Census 2020 are broad and cover a lot of diff erent ethnicities, countries of origin and culture. “The Asian and Black groupings are oversimplifi ed,” Pratt said. “Diff erent cultures and those from diff erent countries have diff erent needs, COUNCIL | FROM PAGE 3 tion to over 66,000 has caused the shift to three precincts. In certain wards, especially ones showing the most growth, since the maximum is 4,000 residents per precinct, the standing two-precinct system will not be suffi cient moving traits and preferences.” Asians, for example, include those from the world’s two most populous nations, China (1.467 billion) and India (1.36 billion), as well as many countries in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, Korea and Cambodia, Pacifi c Islander nations, such as Japan and the Philippines, and Pakistan. Pratt said a goal for the immediate future for the city administration is to gear its provision and supervision of services and “continue to improve” in matching them to residents of color and their individual cultures. “It is very important that we know more about out our community, and the Census fi gures provide that information,” Pratt asserted. A total of 69% of Malden’s population self-responded to requests from Census 2020, a jump of 5% from Census 2010 (64%), despite the COVID-19 pandemic. City offi cials estimated just over 90% of the population was officially counted through the census. Pratt thanked the members of the Malden Complete Count Committee for their hard work in drumming up those impressive percentages of residents counted here. Included were Malden resident Barbara Kim, Evan Spetrini from the Offi ce of Strategic Planning and Development (formerly Malden Redevelopment Authority), and Administrative Offi cer Kathleen Manning Hall and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator Bybiose LaRochelle, both from the offi ce of Mayor Gary Christenson. forward, Pratt said. “We must shift some [ward] boundary lines and increase from two precincts to three precincts per ward,” Pratt, who worked with several Councillors in preparing the changes in an ad hoc group called the Redistricting Subcommittee. “We kept [the wards] largely Malden Census 2020 ‘Fast Facts’ In the course of the presentation, a number of interesting facts were reported, including the following: – Malden officially surpassed 60,000 in total population for the fi rst time, though it has been estimated in the past the city first topped 60,000 around 2016. – With 66,263 residents, Malden is the 16th largest population among the Commonwealth’s 351 cities and towns, just ahead of Waltham (65,318) and Brookline (63,191). – Malden’s population has grown about 15% since 2010, which is nearly identical an increase as in a number of other communities in the Greater Boston area and the North Shore. – Ward 3 in Malden, comprised largely of the city’s West End neighborhood, has the city’s most White residents at 49.8% (4,053) and the lowest percentage of Black residents (688, 7%). – Ward 4 has the city’s largest Asian population; the majority of the ward’s residents at 41.8 percent (3,661 residents). – Ward 2 has the second-largest Asian population in Malden, with 25.8 percent (2,807 residents). – Ward 7 has the most Black (21.9% or 1,792) residents and most Latino (13.5 percent, 1,098) residents in the city. intact, but we had to shift precinct lines to fi t the population we have now.” The three precincts would be between 2,500 and 2,800 residents moving forward for 2022, as opposed to close to the 4,000 maximum which COUNCIL | SEE PAGE 20 ~ Home of the Week ~ SAUGUS...Imagine being on vacation everyday in this tranquil waterfront retreat on the Saugus/Melrose line. Features include & open flr. plan on the 1st flr. w/ an island, stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops, fireplace. Lvrm. & beautiful views of “Second Lake” convenient 1st flr. 1/2 bath & laundry. The 2nd level offers 3 bdrm. w/ 2 full baths, master bdrm. offers private bath & fireplace along w/ views of the lake, new hrdwd. flooring throughout, new heating & electric. This home has been renovated inside & out. Offered at $769,000 335 Central Street, Saugus, MA 01906 (781) 233-7300 View all our listings at: CarpenitoRealEstate.com View the interior of this home right on your smartphone. a y avvy S iorenniiooro a avvyavvy iori n r by Jim Miller How to Find Financial Assistance for Aging-in-Place Improvements Dear Savvy Senior, Do you know of any fi nancial assistance programs that can help seniors with home improvement projects? I would like to help my grandparents make a few modifi cations to their house so they can continue living there safely, but money is tight. Searching Grandson Dear Searching, Yes! There are a number of fi nancial aid programs available that can help seniors with home modifi cations and improvement projects for aging-in-place, but what’s available to your grandparents will depend on their fi nancial situation and where they live. Here are some diff erent options to explore. Medicare Advantage benefi ts: While original Medicare does not typically pay for home improvements, if your grandparents are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan, it may off er some aid for modifi cations based on need. Contact their Medicare Advantage provider to see if this is available. Medicaid waivers: If your grandparents are low-income and eligible for Medicaid, most states have Medicaid Home and Community Based Services waivers that provide fi nancial assistance to help seniors avoid nursing homes and remain living at home. Each state has diff erent waivers, eligibility requirements and benefi ts. Contact your Medicaid offi ce (see Medicaid.gov) for information. Non-Medicaid government assistance: Many state governments and several agencies within the federal government have programs that help low to moderate income seniors, who aren’t eligible for Medicaid with home modifi cations. For example, the Department of Housing and Urban Development off ers HUD Home Improvement Loans by private lenders. Contact a HUD approved counseling agency (call 800-569-4287) to learn more. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has a Rural Development program that provides grants and loans to rural homeowners. Your local USDA service center (see offi ces.sc.egov.usda.gov) can give you more for information. Many states also have fi nancial assistance programs known as nursing home diversion programs. These programs, which may include grants or loans or a combination, helps pay for modifi - cations that enable the elderly and disabled to remain living at home. Modifi cations covered typically include accessibility improvements like wheelchair ramps, handrails and grab bars. To fi nd out if there are programs in your grandparent’s area, contact the city or county housing authority, the local Area Aging Agency (800-677-1116) or the state housing fi nance agency – see NCSHA.org/housing-help. Veteran benefi ts: If your either of your grandparents is a veteran with a disability, the VA provides grants like the SAH, SHA and HISA grants that will pay for home modifi cations. See Benefi ts. va.gov/benefi ts/factsheets/homeloans/sahfactsheet.pdf for details and eligibility requirements. Some other VA programs to inquire about are the “Veteran-Directed Care” program and “Aid and Attendance or Housebound Benefi ts.” Both programs provide monthly fi nancial benefi ts to eligible veterans that can help pay for home modifi cations. To learn more, visit VA.gov/geriatrics or call 800-827-1000. Nonprofi t organizations: Depending on where your grandparent’s live, they may also be able to get assistance in the form of fi nancial aid or volunteer labor to help with modifi cations. One of the most noteworthy is the organization Rebuilding Together (RebuildingTogether.org, 800-473-4229), which off ers three programs: Safe at Home, Heroes at Home, and National Rebuilding Day. Another option is community building projects, which provide seniors with volunteer labor to help them make home improvements. To search for projects in your grandparent’s area, do web search containing the phrase “community building project” followed by their “city and state.” Reverse mortgage: Available to seniors 62 and older who own their own home and are currently living there, a reverse mortgage will let your grandparents convert part of the equity in their home into cash – which can be used for home improvements – that doesn’t have to be paid back as long as they live there. But reverse mortgages are expensive loans, so this should be a last resort. For more information on these and other fi nancial assistance programs, go to PayingForSeniorCare.com and click on “Senior Care” followed by “Home Modifi cations.” Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.
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