I have been made aware of an elderly couple that is without running water. Is there financial assistance available for home repairs?

Check with the local county Agency on Aging to see what programs, if any, are available.

As for the elderly couple, sounds like it is time for them to downsize if they can no longer pay for any repairs to their home. I know it is tough, they probably had been in that house when one or both were working. Then surprise, the only income is social security which really isn't enough to live the same lifestyle as before.

I'd try to limit info to anybody if you can help it as not having running water could be cause to legally have them removed from the home as they cannot flush toilets. Perhaps say that the kitchen sink pipes are out but bathroom "seems" OK.

Where I live St Vincent de Paul, Jewish Family Service and the PRC / Preservation Resource Center (501C 3 dealing with homes pre 1920 builds) have project funding for just such situations. All would be also on the Agency on Aging list.

As an aside on this, if you buy them bottled water, try to make sure that they can actually open the bottles. After Hurricane Katrina, FEMA provided 2& 3G "camels". Great IF you could open them which required lots of wrist strength......

Downsizing, ff's suggestion, seems to make a lot of sense. But it is not as simple as it might appear. If they own that house and it has a very low value selling it won't yield enough to pay for other accommodations for very long. Is there room in the SS budget for rent somewhere else? Maybe the only alternative that would work is subsidized housing. They could get on a waiting list for that.

Or maybe getting the plumbing fixed and taking advantage of meals on wheels and other programs would serve them just as well.

Check into this website. The couple will probably need help with the application, but this could be an answer to their problems. They may be eligible for a grant rather than a loan. https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/single-family-housing-repair-loans-grants

My mother has been having problems with her refrigerator and a friend on mine told me to contact Community Action within their community. The director immediately contacted me and they are checking with their project manager when they can come check it out for her. Hope this helps.

timturk, what a great topic and thank goodness as you may be the only one who noticed or is trying to do anything! Great responses here. I'd see if there is a Habitat for Humanity in your area, too. Also, local churches may have some handy-people who help seniors. Good luck!

I would march my husband over there (or one of my plumber brothers) and get the job done. If you are unable to help, perhaps call a local church or put it out on social media. Someone will help this needy couple.

Here there is an organization called the First Tennessee Human Resource Agency and the Upper East Tennessee Human Development Agency that help with home repairs and modifications. Perhaps there are comparable programs in your area? Good luck and bless you for helping them.

Great suggestions from everyone.
Another:
If either the husband or the wide is a Veteran the VA may help.
If there is a Habitat for Humanity in the area they may have volunteers that might help or they may have suggestions.

If my state found out, they would be removed from the home, so be careful who you tell.
If they are truly able to care for themselves then find an org to help...or...
I put something on Craigslist once to help an elder, and got help immediately! People's hearts responded!!

As Savitaa said, in my township the house can be condemned for not having water. If they have not been paying it, then the township would turn the water off and tell them they needed to get out of the home. This is considered a health hazard. You can go without electricity and heat, but not water.

Do they have adult children who might be able to intervene on their parent's behalf? It just might be that they do need to have more services available to them. This might just be the tip of the proverbial iceberg.

There is an organization called RSVP - Retired Senior Volunteer Program. Volunteers help and fix things for people over 55. Check out your county and see if the number can be found. The local library might be able to give more information how to reach them.

Dear Timturk,
I'm in Hopedale, Mass and seniors can contact the Council on Aging and request home repair services that are safety issues. At the same time, someone should speak with COA about over 55 subsidized housing for them. I don't think it's safe for them to be alone and more neighbors would hopefully keep an eye out for them. All the best and thank you for helping them.
Donna

Are these people hoarders? If they are, fixing the plumbing won't help them. Reporting them to adult protective svcs might. Mthr was a hoarder, and no amount of help, if she ever allowed it, would help her. She was back to her old ways immediately. If she's been found without water and forcibly moved it would have blessed her tremendously. Her mental health was that bad. 

If the pipes were fixed, would they be able to pay for water? What are they doing now, do you know? are they using water from a faucet outside the house?

Be very careful using Craigslist. There are some real predators out their that use Craigslist to look for victims.