A critical home repair program is offering federal money to help fix Montgomery County houses in dire need for free, with up to $25,000 available on each repair and no strings attached for those that qualify.
The program is using $3 million in federal funds from American Rescue Plan Act to renovate about 200 homes in Montgomery County, said Timothey Fletcher, the Central Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission Critical Home Repair Program manager.
“What we’re trying to do is give someone basic shelter,” Fletcher said. “… This money is without strings.”
Officials can spend up to $25,000 on each home repair. The homes that they select for restoration must threaten the occupants’ shelter. The repairs will be allotted on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Fletcher said examples of homes that would qualify include structures that are in danger of collapse from weather, houses without heat or air, roofs that allow water into the home, bathroom floors that are no longer stable and sewage that does not flush out as needed.
The program will last for the next three years.
Fletcher emphasized that this is not a beautification program.
“We want to make your home stable. We want you to have good reliable shelter,” Fletcher said.
How do you apply?
Applications are available on the Central Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission website at carpdc.com.
The commission will begin accepting applications Oct. 16. People can mail, email or physically turn in their applications. The commission’s address is 430 S Court St.
Given the large crowd that showed up Wednesday at the Cramton Bowl Multiplex to learn more, Fletcher recommended that people turn in their applications as soon as possible.
What is required in the application?
Applications must include identification, proof of income, proof of property ownership, proof of residency and a property record card.
People must provide identification for each household member. Fletcher said the commission will only accept copies of the identification, not the original document itself. Identification includes driver’s licenses, birth certificates, social security cards and government ID cards.
Proof of income would include pay stubs, social security statements and retirement or pension information. Applicants must turn in this information for everyone living in the home.
To provide proof of property ownership, people must submit copies of their deeds. Fletcher reiterated that people should not turn in their actual deeds.
Proof of residency would include any utility bills with the applicants’ names on them.
People can obtain property record cards from the courthouse or tax assessor’s office.
What happens after applicants apply?
Once people apply for the program, the commission will determine if they are eligible based on the income requirements.
People are not eligible for the program if their incomes are above:
- $41,650 for a one-person household
- $47,600 for a two-person household
- $53,550 for a three-person household
- $59,500 for a four-person household
- $63,300 for a five-person household
- $69,050 for a six-person household
- $73,800 for a seven-person household
- $78,550 for an eight-person houshold
Officials will add $5,140 for each additional person after eight to determine the maximum income for the family.
The commission will then do an assessment to determine if the house qualifies and if the need is critical. If that is the case, the commission will have approved contractors bid on the work. The contractor who wins the bid will perform the construction. If the household is comfortable with the plan, then the contractor will move forward with construction.
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Alex Gladden is the Montgomery Advertiser’s public safety reporter. She can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @gladlyalex.