Homeowner Emergency Repair

How Do I Qualify for a Homeowner Emergency Repair?

The Homeowner Emergency Repair Program is designed to assist low-income households with emergency repairs who own their own home and occupy the home as their primary residence.

What is a Low-Income Household?

Households with a total annual household income of no more than 50% of the median income for the area are considered by this program as low-income.  Income limit charts are revised annually and can be found at the bottom of this page in the Download Section or at the Housing & Community Development Office.

Who Do I Include in my Household?

Anyone who occupies or lives in the home.

What All is Included in Determining my Household Income?

Wages from a Job

Retirement Benefits or Pension

Public Assistance (TANIF, WIC, etc.)

Social Security Benefits

Child Support or Alimony

Business Income

Anyone 18 years old or older who has an income, must provide their income information and be included in the household income calculation.

Any Other Qualifications?

Property Taxes must be current

Property owner must have clear title to the property

Mortgage (if applicable) must be current

Water Bill must be current

Property must not have any outstanding property code violations or liens (such as high weeds and grass, debris, junk vehicles, etc.)

Sounds Too Easy! What’s the Catch?

The cost of obtaining a quote from a licensed contractor for the repair is the sole responsibility of the homeowner.

The household is only eligible for one (1) emergency repair in a 12 month period.

The repair assistance is in the form of a grant and therefore the homeowner is not expected to repay any portion of the assistance provided, the homeowners remain in and occupy the home as their primary residence for a minimum of 1 year after the completion of the project.

The homeowner must submit a claim to their homeowners insurance company for repairs covered by their insurance policy prior to any assistance being provided for such repairs.

For any repairs costing more than $5,000.00, the homeowner must pay the difference prior to any assistance being provided by the City.

Not all repairs requested by the homeowner are guaranteed to be completed.  Emergency funds will be used for only those repairs deemed an emergency by the Housing & Community Development staff.

How Do I Apply for Assistance?

Assistance applications may be found at the bottom of this page in the Download Section or picked up at the Housing & Community Development Office.

Submittal Requirements:

• Complete Application
• Quote from a licensed contractor to make the needed repair
• Social Security Cards for all household members and Driver’s Licenses
• Bank Statements for all accounts from the last two months
• Pay Stubs for the last two months
• Public Assistance Benefit Letter
• Social Security Benefit Letter
• VA Benefit Letter
• Retirement Benefit Letter
• Child Support Statement from DHS
• Divorce Decree
• Last Year’s Tax Return
• Proof of Property Ownership
• Most Recent Mortgage Statement
• Homeowner’s Insurance Certificate

The above list of requirements may not apply to all applicants.  Some circumstance may require additional information.

Completed applications along with all required documentation will need to be hand delivered to the Housing & Community Development Office.  All household members 18 years old or older will have additional paperwork to sign in our office.

I’ve Applied, What’s Next?

Staff reviews application packet and determines homeowner eligibility

Staff contacts homeowner to schedule an inspection of the requested repair and determines project eligibility

Homeowner signs all required documents

Staff contacts contractor and approves repair work to begin

The goal of our office is to have the emergency repair completed within one week of approving the project.