Sacramento pilot program to give $15K to homeowners for repairs

Sacramento City Council members this week approved a pilot program that would give homeowners thousands of dollars for emergency repairs.The Justice for Neighbors Emergency Home Repair Pilot Program would give $15,000 for needed repairs to those who qualify. The requirements include the home needing to be owner-occupied or to be a single-family home with an income that is at or below 80% of the local median income. Peter Lemos, code and housing enforcement chief with the city of Sacramento, said that they’ve already identified some homes that could be eligible for the assistance.”Underserved homes, underserved communities — these are homeowners that haven’t been able to do a simple home repair that could save its sanitary way of living,” Lemos said.According to the program, the home would also need to be classified as having substandard or dangerous code violations. This program is expected to address issues with “substandard” or “dangerous” roof, electrical, plumbing or HVAC systems.While no repayment is required, there is a deed of trust placed on all properties. “In the event that the homeowner decides to sell in the first five years, those funds would be reimbursed and turned into being able to provide additional emergency home repair projects assistance to homeowners in the city of Sacramento,” said Leah Miller, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento.The program is set to last for a term of four years or until all of its funding is depleted. The total money pot of $504,000 is set to come from two sources: $304,000 from the Housing Trust Fund commitment of Measure U and $200,000 from the Justice for Neighbors Project.”Funds from the Justice for Neighbors Project are collected from bad property owners and hoping to help some of the property owners that can’t afford to make the repairs on their own,” said senior deputy city attorney Michael Benner.The grant agreement for the program will be done in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento.Sacramento city officials warn that they’re still in the planning process and the application is still not available online, so they should avoid filling out any personal information at the moment.Those who qualify for the funding can only receive the $15,000 once.

Sacramento City Council members this week approved a pilot program that would give homeowners thousands of dollars for emergency repairs.

The Justice for Neighbors Emergency Home Repair Pilot Program would give $15,000 for needed repairs to those who qualify. The requirements include the home needing to be owner-occupied or to be a single-family home with an income that is at or below 80% of the local median income.

Peter Lemos, code and housing enforcement chief with the city of Sacramento, said that they’ve already identified some homes that could be eligible for the assistance.

“Underserved homes, underserved communities — these are homeowners that haven’t been able to do a simple home repair that could save its sanitary way of living,” Lemos said.

According to the program, the home would also need to be classified as having substandard or dangerous code violations. This program is expected to address issues with “substandard” or “dangerous” roof, electrical, plumbing or HVAC systems.

While no repayment is required, there is a deed of trust placed on all properties.

“In the event that the homeowner decides to sell in the first five years, those funds would be reimbursed and turned into being able to provide additional emergency home repair projects assistance to homeowners in the city of Sacramento,” said Leah Miller, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento.

The program is set to last for a term of four years or until all of its funding is depleted. The total money pot of $504,000 is set to come from two sources: $304,000 from the Housing Trust Fund commitment of Measure U and $200,000 from the Justice for Neighbors Project.

“Funds from the Justice for Neighbors Project are collected from bad property owners and hoping to help some of the property owners that can’t afford to make the repairs on their own,” said senior deputy city attorney Michael Benner.

The grant agreement for the program will be done in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento.

Sacramento city officials warn that they’re still in the planning process and the application is still not available online, so they should avoid filling out any personal information at the moment.

Those who qualify for the funding can only receive the $15,000 once.