North Country HOME Rehabilitation Program
Snow Belt Housing Company, Inc. has received a $216,000 HOME grant award from the North Country HOME Consortium to assist income-eligible homeowners in selected towns and villages with funds for home repairs and improvements. The purpose of this program is to correct substandard housing conditions and to improve the health, safety and energy efficiency of the home. Grant money is not intended to be used for improvements that only make the house look nicer or make it more convenient. Homes that are structurally unsound or exceed the amount of rehabilitation funds available will be ineligible for the program. All homes assisted with HOME funds must use a minimum of $1,000 in grant assistance. All rehabilitation projects shall include installation of appropriate smoke and carbon monoxide detectors if such equipment is not currently installed.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants may receive a grant for up to 100% of the cost of repair up to a maximum of $24,376. Rehabilitation costs in excess of the $24,376 must be paid by the homeowner. Homeowners may provide their share from any source including bank loans, savings, etc. Those who are unable to provide their share of the rehabilitation costs from any other source may be able to borrow additional funds from the Lewis County Revolving Loan Fund. They may also be eligible for a grant from the AHC Home Improvement Program.
Priority will be given to the lowest-income households.The HOME grant will be in the form of a deferred payment loan requiring the applicant to live in the home for a five-year period following completion of the work. A mortgage will be placed on the property to ensure compliance with the residency requirement.
Homeowners will be required to provide a property tax statement that lists the home's assessed value. Properties that exceed the HOME mortgage limit or will exceed the limit after rehabilitation will be ineligible for assistance. The total estimated repair cost will be added to the property's assessed value to determine if the after-rehab value will not exceed the maximum HOME limit of $132,000.
All applicants will be required to file a complete application and pay a $25.00 application fee. Applicants with the greatest need and the lowest income will be served first. Applicants must meet the income eligibility for the program. They must own and occupy their own home as their principal residence for a minimum of twelve months prior to receiving assistance. Proof of ownership must be on file at the County Clerk's office. Mobile homes and land contracts that are not filed are ineligible. Property taxes must be current and homes must be insured.
Income Limits
The maximum income limits must not exceed 50% of median income for
the size of the household. Click here,
for the Income Limit Table.
Eligible Towns and Villages
To qualify for this program, your home and property must be located in the County of Lewis, New York.
Applications are available at the Snow Belt Housing Company, Inc. office at 7500 S. State Street, Lowville, New York 13367. You may call the office at 376-2639 and one will be sent to you. Or, if you would like, you may click HERE to view the handbook for this program, and HERE to download an application in Adobe Acrobat format.
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