Money available for home repairs

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Do you have necessary or energy efficiency home repairs you’ve been putting off because of the cost?

Need new windows, shingles, or insulation badly but can’t afford it?

If so, you may qualify for a newly awarded grant program that can help.

The city of Alexandria, with support from the Alexandria and Douglas County Housing Redevelopment Authorities, has been seeking funds to help homeowners in the city with the rising costs of home repairs.

Due to their combined efforts, the city was recently awarded $360,000 in grant funds from the Department of Employment and Economic Development.

The money will be used to make necessary repairs to homes that fall inside a specific targeted area of the city of Alexandria.

Eligible repairs include such items as energy efficiency, weatherization, structural deficiencies, health and safety and more.

The total amount of grants per home can’t exceed $18,000.

The Alexandria HRA program provided the following questions and answers about the program:

How does a program like this work?

The first step is to apply for the program through the Alexandria HRA and provide the required information to help determine if your project is eligible.

Some required information may include: income verifications, proof of ownership, and proof that the mortgage, insurance, and property taxes are paid to date.

The household must be income qualified and the building must be suitable for repairs. Dilapidated or abandoned buildings are considered not suitable for repair.

If your application is accepted, a representative of the Douglas County HRA will provide an inspection for your home, inform you of eligible improvements that can be made with the funds, assist you in selecting a contractor, and help you oversee your project until completion.

Is this “free” money?

The answer – yes and no. Yes, the funds are provided in the form of a grant, or more precisely a deferred loan, but there are requirements.

You will have to sign a mortgage and a lien will be placed against your property for 10 years. There is no interest or monthly payments associated with this loan.

As long as you remain in the home, do not sell or transfer title, and it remains your primary place of residence, at the end of 10 years the loan is forgiven and you will owe nothing.

If you do violate one of these requirements then a portion of the loan will have to be repaid.

If you would like more information concerning this program or to request an application, call Erin Bolland at the Alexandria HRA, 805 Fillmore Street, (320) 762-1311.

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