Cleveland homeowners have until Aug. 21 to apply for a chance to get help with home repairs or maintenance.
The city launched an online application – in English and Spanish – this week that it will use to vet applicants’ eligibility for several programs that will offer grants or low- or no-interest loans for residents who can’t afford needed maintenance or repairs. In most cases, only one critical repair will be covered.
The Community Development department will review the applications and will use a lottery process to select winners to ensure projects are equitably distributed, according to a release. Homeowners selected should be notified by the end of September.
Link: Cleveland’s universal application for housing repair programs.
How do I know if I might qualify?
You must own and live in your home, and you can’t have any unpaid property taxes. You’ll also be required to show your home is insured.
The programs are geared toward residents the city considers low-income. In general, that would include households with income of $74,702 or less, though it varies by program.
This is a “universal” application so it may have questions about renting, but those ones are not for this program.
What do I need for the application?
The application can only be completed online. City staff cannot help people complete applications over the phone.
Before you start, have ready:
After you submit the application, the city will email you to ask for the following documents. You will be able to submit cell phone photos of documents as long as they are readable.
- Government IDs, such as an Ohio ID or driver’s license for anyone 18 and older in the house.
- A utility bill. That could be electric, gas, sewer, trash collection or water.
- Homeowners insurance declaration page.
- Photos of needed repairs
- A copy of a “zero income affidavit” for any adult reporting zero income.
How is Cleveland paying for this?
Mayor Justin Bibb and City Council committed $10 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money for citywide home repairs and KeyBank gave the city $2.5 million. Officials approved an additional $5 million for repair and renovations on the city’s Southeast Side and have invited owners of 150 homes to apply. (This includes the Lee-Harvard, Union-Miles and Mount Pleasant neighborhoods.)
Who would do the repairs?
The city has agreements with five nonprofits that will run the programs, which will include grants and loans for home repairs. They are: Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity, CHN Housing Partners, Cleveland Restoration Society, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, Cleveland and Community Housing Solutions. Based on the applications, the city will match lottery winners with non-profits. Each has its own process for working with home repair and renovation contractors.
If I qualify, how much money can I get toward repairs?
It depends. Each program is different. Generally, according to the city, programs can offer grants or loans worth up to $30,000 for projects, including roof repair and replacement, upgrading heating and cooling systems and correcting housing code violations.
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