BROADVIEW HEIGHTS, Ohio — The city may join a program that would allow residents who own homes 50 and older to obtain low-interest loans for repairs and renovations, as well as receive free technical assistance.
It’s called the Heritage Home Program. It is offered by the nonprofit Cleveland Restoration Society, which works to preserve historic buildings.
Homes eligible for assistance through the Heritage Home Program don’t have to be historic in nature, just 50 or older.
The home cannot contain more than three living units.
Broadview Heights Chief Building Official Joe Mandato said the program would cost the city $6,300 a year.
He said the city used to offer the program to residents, but stopped for some reason.
Mandato said that 2,359 homes in Broadview Heights may qualify for the program, based on their age.
However, some City Council members expressed misgivings about the program.
Councilman Joe Price said he had experience with a similar program in which homeowners defaulted on the loans.
Years later, family members who inherited the properties were expected to repay the loans with interest after the homeowners died.
Price asked for the default rate of the Heritage Home Program and the rules on repayment. He asked whether the loan must be made whole once the property changes hands.
“We need to get those questions answered before we endorse this program,” Price said.
Councilman Brian Dunlap was also skeptical. He said “easy money doesn’t exist.”
Dunlap said he visited the Heritage Home website and found the application process to be lengthy and complicated.
“It’s just being cautious for the residents that we don’t buy into this discount program that’s really not a discount program,” Dunlap said.
“It’s not as simple as getting a Costco’s card.”
Dunlap said the city would better spend money on seminars advising young homebuyers on what to look for when buying a home and how to address maintenance issues and avoid bad contractors.
Mayor Sam Alai said his administration was recommending the Heritage Home Program because the city has been performing road work on Wallings and Avery roads south of Ohio 82.
The loans would help residents affected by construction repave their driveways and sidewalks.
Councilman Joe Pavlica asked if the administration was going to start inspecting homes and properties, look for code violations, cite homeowners and then recommend the Heritage Home Program.
In this way, the program would become part of a policy to bring more property owners into city code compliance.
Mandato said most residents resolve property violations without city prompting. He said the Heritage Home Program would only help them finance property improvements.
Mandato invited council to email him questions about the program. He said he would provide the answers at the next council work session.
Mandato said he didn’t understand why council was trying to “pick apart” the Home Heritage Program, which he said has existed since 2002.
“If there were some issues, it would have been out there,” Mandato said.
“You’re not buffaloing anywhere here,” Mandato said. “This is a program. If you want it, you want it. If you don’t, you don’t. It’s there.”
Alai promised council that his administration would “thoroughly vet” the program.
The Home Heritage Program is available for residents with a maximum household income of $77,760 who own a home valued at $750,000 or less.
Home Heritage projects include both exterior and interior work, such as kitchen and bath improvements, additions, roof repairs and replacements, basement waterproofing and insulation installations.
The City of Brecksville joined the program earlier this year.
Jasmine Prezenkowski, Heritage Home Program team leader, told Brecksville City Council in November that technical assistance comes in the form of a 30-minute home visit by a construction specialist.
Homeowners can ask the construction specialist questions about virtually any subject.
For example, they can seek advice on how to paint their home exterior, prioritize home improvements or make their homes more energy efficient.
There are loan eligibility requirements. The home has to be insured and the owner must have some equity in the home. Also, tax payments on the property must be up to date.
Prezenkowski said more than 40 communities, including most municipalities in Cuyahoga County, participate in the Heritage Home Program.
The program provides reports to the city regarding which and how many homeowners are participating and specifications for each home improvement project.
The program also monitors progress on each project once construction begins and provides technical advice during construction if asked to do so.
The program inspects the project once work is completed and ensures that it complies with bid specifications.
According to the Cleveland Restoration Society website, the Heritage Home Program also provides information on local contractors who might perform the work and reviews contractor bids with homeowners.
All projects must be completed in 18 months.
Read more from the Sun Star Courier.
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