A new sensory room and more—funded by the Home Modification Loan Program—bring relief to a Springfield family: “It’s like we can breathe again!”
For rising fifth grader Gabe Laureano of Springfield, the list of things he loves is topped by his collection of squishy toys, followed closely by anything slimy.
“And he loves using his hands, he loves building with Legos and doing STEM activities,” said his mother Diana, a developmental specialist with Behavioral Health Network. “He enjoys the Home Depot in-store workshops for kids, my husband and I bring him once a month.”
There’s a new love in Gabe’s life these days, too, thanks to the Home Modification Loan Program (HMLP). The state-funded program provides 0% interest loans up to $50,000 to homeowners so they can make modifications to their home for increased safety, independence, and accessibility—to benefit those with disabilities and older adults.
“Gabe now has a place where he can just decompress and relax. I bet you anything, right now, as we speak, he is on his crash pad, lying down. And then he’ll grab his squishy toys to be there in case he needs them. His crash pad already has a memory spot, his spot, where he just cuddles up and rolls into a ball,” said Diana of her son’s sensory room, which features fully padded walls and a foam floor.
When the sensory room was first completed in early 2025, his mother tried to attract his attention to it by transferring some toys. But there was no need. He was drawn to it on his own. He wanted to be in his space. And having such a safe place for her son is incredibly important, Diana explained.
“It’s a relief! It’s like we can breathe again. Now I don’t have to rush upstairs to him breaking my walls or breaking the windows or trying to climb out on the roof,” said his mother. “Gabe has autism in addition to ADHD, insomnia, panic attacks, and high levels of anxiety and depression. When he dysregulates, he tends to break a lot of things. I didn’t want to lose my windows or my doors. I wanted a place for him to be able to regulate where he won’t get hurt or hit his head. And where the house won’t get hurt.”
While living in Florida until 2022, it took several years to receive a diagnosis for Gabe’s special needs, which is the gateway to services and support. In describing her experience with the HMLP, what stands out most is how easy and seamless the process was for Diana’s family—from start to finish.
“Being the parent of a child with special needs, who is very high needs, can be overwhelming,” said Diana, who was referred to the program after her son had a crisis situation involving suicidal intent. “I cannot say enough about this entire program, it was an amazing process. Everyone was so nice, so knowledgeable. They explained things step by step. It was like, ‘Wait a minute, I don’t have to fight anyone?’ I was so excited, honestly.”
Lending Specialist Jaqueline Luna kept Diana updated on the status of her application and funds and shared a list of local contractors.
“The contractors were very helpful, very respectful, they included my son in picking out the color scheme,” said Diana. “When there were to be noises in the house, if they needed to drill or something, they would let us know so we could put on Gabe’s noise blockers.”
The contractors also got to work renovating the bathroom—making changes that Diana had only dreamed about for the future.
“Bathtime was always such a bad situation for us. The big triggers were water hitting his head and the bright lights. And if he dysregulates in the shower, I feared him hitting his head,” said Diana, who was impressed by the contractor’s solutions to her concerns. “We switched the tub to a shower and installed a shower seat, where he can now pull the water toward him, and grab bars. With the lights on a dimmer, he can set his light tone. These little changes, I’m telling you, are huge! Now it’s less of a fight every night, I just dim the lights and say, ‘Everything is set up for you.’”
Gabe can play more safely outside now, too, thanks to a new six-foot fence that completely encloses the backyard. He also has a new sensory swing and hammock hanging outside.
The very first day the contractors arrived, in fall 2024, remains a memorable one for Diana, who had been preparing Gabe for it over the preceding weeks. She was expecting him to have difficulty with the transition, the noise, the people, the change. But he surprised her.
“The day they came to the house, he looked at everybody without losing control. He stayed calm, cool, and collected. He came to me with his squishy and said, ‘There are six people in the house and I’m not afraid,’” said Diana, who has been spreading the word about the program to some families she works with. “We celebrated that day, I took him out for ice cream. He is growing up and learning, he can do it.”
Of note, Way Finders’ service area for the HMLP includes nine towns and general home repairs are not eligible; the modification needs to directly relate to a person’s ability to function on a day-to-day basis, as documented by a professional. Income guidelines are quite generous: A family of four must earn no more than $330,800 per year. Landlords with fewer than 10 units may be eligible for a 3% loan for an eligible tenant. Those who receive funding are not required to make monthly payments. Payment of the HMLP loan is required only when the property is sold, or the property title is transferred to someone else or to a Trust (or if any condition of the loan agreement is not met).
What will your HMLP story be? Get it started and let us know!